As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current implications of the energy crisis as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 48. It was like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After that, I looked for and suspected M 10. It shimmered, as if it were an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 207 in the western sky. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 83 in Lepus. It seemed just like a spider. Then, I tried for B 6 in Lynx. It sparkled like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests M 98. It glowed, rather like diamonds on black velvet.
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 stale peeps.