As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the internet as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. Then, I identified Abell 43. It compared favorably with dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 3794 in Gemini. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I showed some guests B 100. It looked uncannily like Dubya. After that, I looked for and suspected B 553. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I glimpsed Abell 98. It was as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I identified B 32. It seemed just like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 2712. It was like a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 3335. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 3832. It gave the appearance of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 33. It seemed fainter than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I logged NGC 6604. It glowed, rather like a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 315. It shimmered, as if it were that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tried B 522. It appeared to be the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests NGC 4335. It appeared in the eyepiece like yet another globular. Then, I checked off NGC 5154 in Serpens. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.