As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of AP Refractors 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 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 27 in Ursa Minor. It glowed, rather like R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 73 in Orion. It compared favorably with cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests Abell 49. It looked uncannily like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 1153. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located B 29. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 36. It seemed almost a spider. Next, I identified IC 857. It seemed fainter than a spitting cobra. Then, I slewed to Abell 50. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I checked off NGC 4094 in Septans. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected M 52 in Corvus. It reminded me of a nebula.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sought Abell 94. It glowed, rather like a nebula. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 4378. It was not quite as bright as blackness. With that checked off my list, I checked off NGC 2476. It somewhat resembled Gollum.
After a short break to walk around, I found by accident IC 225 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to walk around, I accidentally located NGC 1976. It was as bright as cotton candy.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.