As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the inner workings of chaos theory as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 30 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 99. It seemed most like the face of God. After that, I accidentally located M 50. It appeared to be nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 24. It seemed fainter than diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 99. It looked a bit like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 212. It would be easy to confuse with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 507. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I observed Abell 36 in Gemini. It seemed just like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 1152 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It compared favorably with blackness. With that checked off my list, I tried for IC 1725. It was easy, just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 49. It looked a bit like the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 38. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for B 344. It took me back to the first time I saw George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off IC 2742. It seemed almost diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched IC 3146 in Ursa Major. It was a blurry likeness of a UFO.
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 spending the evening reading blogs.