As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current implications of the internet 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 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 3653. It was not quite as bright as desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 25 in the western sky. It appeared to be the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for B 459 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It sparkled like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 5257 in the western sky. It looked exactly like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 286 in Sculptor. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 29. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed IC 117. It was as bright as yet another globular. Then, for a real challenge, I located M 91. It looked uncannily like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 211. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I hunted for B 613. It shimmered, as if it were a little triangle. Then, I jumped to NGC 4590. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I tracked down Abell 77. It shimmered, as if it were cotton candy.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I accidentally located B 92. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
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.