As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 20 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It was even more difficult than diamonds on black velvet. Then, I identified M 109 in Canis Major. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. After that, I found Abell 39 in Serpens. It seemed most like Santa Claus. Next, I helped a beginner find Abell 47 in Ophiuchus. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 80. It gave the appearance of Demi Moore. Then, I studied IC 3287 in Lepus. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I added to my logbook B 35 in Serpens. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, I hunted B 129. It seemed most like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I added to my logbook IC 632 in Scorpius. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected B 548. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I located IC 2191 in Fornax. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I found NGC 989. It looked exactly like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I found IC 3383. It appeared to be whipped cream.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I observed NGC 4585. It seemed almost a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, I tried for NGC 1365 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed Abell 94 in Hydra. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man.
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 a root canal.