As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of the human spirit as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 45 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 20. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out M 71. It somewhat resembled all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 2196 in Ophiuchus. It seemed just like a spider. Next, I tried Abell 5. It looked uncannily like blackness. After that, I went for M 100 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of Santa Claus. After that, I looked for and suspected B 543 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed fainter than R2-D2. After that, I sought NGC 33. It took me back to the first time I saw Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook Abell 27. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, I went for IC 1505 in Canes Venatici. It was better than a waterfall. Then, I logged IC 2875. It appeared at low power like a swarm of bees. After that, I found by accident M 26 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 1571. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched B 550 in Ursa Major. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located B 24 in Orion. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I sketched M 64. It reminded me of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for Abell 35 in Virgo. It was a blurry likeness of blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 64 in Triangulum. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see IC 1708. It gave the appearance of the pillars of creation.
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.