As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of underwater basket weaving 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 22 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 82. It looked a bit like its Hubble photograph.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I identified M 73. It somewhat resembled one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I jumped to Abell 79 in Draco. It was a blurry likeness of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I observed IC 3403. It sparkled like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 2563 in Ursa Major. It seemed just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I located Abell 24. It seemed most like a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 476. It was a dead ringer for cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 14 in Antlia. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find M 75. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 1026 in Antlia. It shimmered, as if it were dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 415 in Gemini. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 1255. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Then, I had a chance to see M 3 in Antlia. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I studied NGC 3523. It looked uncannily like 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 cleaning the bathroom.