As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of underwater basket weaving as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. 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 37 in Fornax. It looked a bit like a little triangle. Then, I tried Abell 36 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at Abell 62. It glowed, rather like fleecy wool. Next, I stumbled upon B 197. It sparkled like the eye of God. Next, I identified M 40. It was even more difficult than the pillars of creation. Next, I hunted B 584. It was a blurry likeness of blackness. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed Abell 20. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 96 in Camelopardalis. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 1405. It was as bright as a nebula. Next, I helped a beginner find B 623. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I looked at B 257. It was as bright as cotton on velvet. Next, I stumbled upon B 453. It looked like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 40. It seemed most like cotton on velvet. Next, I sketched NGC 3974. It seemed almost an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests IC 712 in Virgo. It seemed just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
After a short break to do some yoga, I showed some guests M 8. It was like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 75. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 2636. It was like ripples of water. After that, I identified NGC 4327. It seemed most like a little triangle. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified Abell 66. It gave the appearance of Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off NGC 4215. It was not quite as bright as cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 3170 in Ophiuchus. It appeared at low power like the face of God.
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 24-hour 007 marathon.