As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the morality of tight underwear as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. 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 62. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for B 206. It was better than the pillars of creation. Then, I slewed to M 10. It was a blurry likeness of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I identified Abell 33. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tracked down Abell 44. It shimmered, as if it were diamonds on black velvet. After that, I showed some guests Abell 49. It would be easy to confuse with a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied Abell 91. It was not quite as bright as lumpy darkness. Then, I tracked down IC 844. It seemed almost spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I helped a beginner find B 391 in the western sky. It was a dead ringer for the eye of God. Then, I hunted NGC 4831. It shimmered, as if it were all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I went for B 288. It was like the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 5608. It somewhat resembled cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 82. It was a blurry likeness of Alan Rickman. After that, I added to my logbook M 28. It reminded me of a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 436 in Corvus. It compared favorably with a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for Abell 79 in Septans. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I found IC 3917 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for the pillars of creation. Then, I studied B 207 in Ursa Minor. It seemed fainter than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to NGC 3398. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 3429. It was easy, just like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for B 278. It looked a bit like cotton on velvet. After that, I looked at M 4. It appeared in the eyepiece like Dubya. Next, I added to my logbook M 13 in Orion. It seemed just like a waterfall.
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.