As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of my life's work as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 33 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 98 in Scorpius. It seemed just like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 823. It seemed just like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I hunted for Abell 93. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I checked out Abell 23 in Cygnus. It reminded me of a spider. Next, I checked off IC 3083. It looked a bit like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I studied NGC 819 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed almost the eye of God. After that, I checked out NGC 4783 in Lyra. It was a blurry likeness of an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 516. It would be easy to confuse with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to walk around, I looked for and suspected B 317. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 22. It somewhat resembled dancing elephants. Then, I stumbled upon B 443. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 getting shot in the face by Dick Cheney.