As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 71. It appeared to be a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 99. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected IC 404. It glowed, rather like Gollum. After that, I sketched M 87. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I went for Abell 99. It was like a UFO. Next, I checked out Abell 21. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to B 504. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged IC 1476. It somewhat resembled two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 28. It was as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 47. It appeared at low power like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I tried IC 127 in Cygnus. It was even more difficult than the eye of God. With that checked off my list, I jumped to B 147 in Antlia. It shimmered, as if it were fleecy wool. Then, I helped a beginner find B 413. It appeared as a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 86. It glowed, rather like Gollum.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.