As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the current state of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 107 in Ursa Major. It was not quite as bright as a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident B 40. It looked a bit like a waterfall. Then, I hunted for B 548. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I logged IC 2395 in Gemini. It glowed, rather like whipped cream. Then, I tried for NGC 6528. It seemed just like desert sand. Next, I hunted M 1. It was like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at NGC 6541 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked out Abell 51. It took me back to the first time I saw dancing elephants. After that, I tried Abell 16. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy. Next, I slewed to Abell 86 in Orion. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I hunted B 281 in Ursa Minor. It appeared in the eyepiece like dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 327. It somewhat resembled a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I went for IC 3672 in Ursa Major. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I helped a beginner find M 90. It looked exactly like Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to Abell 16 in Perseus. It compared favorably with cotton candy. Next, I slewed to IC 2629 in Lynx. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 3165 in Draco. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 304. It looked like lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 29. It seemed fainter than spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I tracked down NGC 3767. It was like ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 50. It appeared at low power like Gollum. Then, I identified Abell 89. It looked like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon Abell 9. It was a blurry likeness of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
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 root canal.