As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the higher implications of television as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 15 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It appeared as Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook B 114 in Pisces Austrinus. It was easy, just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I glimpsed Abell 84 in Septans. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I found NGC 2292 in Scutum. It seemed almost a far-away cloud. Next, I found by accident M 94 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I observed NGC 2304. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook M 88. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 39 in Ursa Minor. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 64. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. Then, I found B 597. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 3380 in Sagittarius. It took me back to the first time I saw a little triangle. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 84. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 95. It looked a bit like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1707. It gave the appearance of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 232. It was easy, just like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 67. It looked uncannily like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I found by accident M 74. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I hunted for B 484 in Sculptor. It took me back to the first time I saw a whale spouting. Then, I went for NGC 4671. It seemed almost the invisible man. Next, I found B 575. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found IC 1406 in Pisces Austrinus. It gave the appearance of Demi Moore.
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.