As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. 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 36 in Ophiuchus. It looked a bit like whipped cream.
After a short break to check my email, I accidentally located IC 1288. It sparkled like its Hubble photograph. Then, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4198. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I nudged my telescope to NGC 3947. It was a dead ringer for ripples of water.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tried M 10 in Virgo. It appeared to be spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I hunted M 110. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 6666. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 86 in Canis Major. It looked exactly like a smoke ring. After that, I showed some guests Abell 27. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 80 in Gemini. It would be easy to confuse with the invisible man. After that, I hunted IC 1871. It was a dead ringer for smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 1845. It sparkled like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I jumped to IC 858. It looked like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I glimpsed IC 3795. It was better than blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 96. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, for a real challenge, I identified Abell 8 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It sparkled like a smoke ring. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 96. It was even more difficult than the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located IC 1718. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I star-hopped to NGC 6616. It was as bright as blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 255. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees.
After a short break to have a smoke, I helped a beginner find Abell 92 in Sagittarius. It appeared at low power like lumpy darkness.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.