As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 61. It gave the appearance of a UFO. Next, I sketched NGC 1431. It glowed, rather like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 72. It was even more difficult than fleecy wool.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I star-hopped to B 110 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a dead ringer for Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 2580. It was even more difficult than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 2475. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 3217. It gave the appearance of lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 43. It seemed fainter than cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I tracked down IC 2523. It looked a bit like Gollum. Then, for a real challenge, I observed B 498. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected M 25 in Sculptor. It was better than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 31. It was like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I studied Abell 52 in Camelopardalis. It gave the appearance of spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to NGC 2242. It would be easy to confuse with dancing elephants. After that, I looked at Abell 2 in Draco. It gave the appearance of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I jumped to NGC 2865. It appeared to be desert sand.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I helped a beginner find B 226 in Perseus. It looked exactly like the face of God. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for Abell 27. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected NGC 3571. It reminded me of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I studied B 546. It sparkled like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to walk around, I logged IC 2237. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I located NGC 2725 in Lynx. It seemed almost R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected M 102. It reminded me of fleecy wool.
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 root canal.