As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of economic theory as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 41. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to Abell 88 in Sculptor. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, I accidentally located M 97 in Virgo. It seemed most like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 374. It took me back to the first time I saw the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 2044. It somewhat resembled a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I located Abell 79. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried M 4. It looked uncannily like a spitting cobra. Next, I looked at IC 2034. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 103. It appeared as a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I checked off Abell 18 in Lynx. It appeared as ripples of water. After that, I looked for and suspected B 487. It was even more difficult than Dubya. Then, I tried B 543. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I looked at Abell 11. It reminded me of cotton candy. After that, I looked for and suspected M 67. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 89. It seemed most like a spider.
Finally, it was time to pack up and leave. As I drove home, I contemplated the events of the night, and realized that any night out under the sky with good friends is better than spending the evening reading blogs.