As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of AP Refractors 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 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 8. It appeared as diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to Abell 85. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I went for Abell 49 in Hydra. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for B 381. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 5420. It took me back to the first time I saw two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I checked out NGC 3686 in Ophiuchus. It seemed fainter than Demi Moore. Next, I tracked down Abell 47. It looked like desert sand. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 303. It somewhat resembled a spitting cobra. Then, I showed some guests NGC 261 in the western sky. It was easy, just like whipped cream.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I located NGC 6884 in Orion. It looked like a UFO. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 2108. It appeared at low power like R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I logged B 434 in Corvus. It was even more difficult than fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 1103 in Antlia. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. Then, I slewed to M 10. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to NGC 1116 in Sculptor. It appeared to be a whale spouting. Then, I had a chance to see M 90. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I sketched NGC 524. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 26. It was not quite as bright as the pillars of creation. After that, I checked out M 29. It seemed fainter than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).