As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current state of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75. It was better than diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 14. It was even more difficult than a cantilever bra. Then, for a real challenge, I sought NGC 5016. It was like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to B 258. It seemed almost George W. Bush. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 1919 in Scutum. It compared favorably with yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for IC 870 in Camelopardalis. It seemed most like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 1326. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to Abell 59. It gave the appearance of an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I identified B 224. It gave the appearance of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I added to my logbook NGC 6357. It looked uncannily like a swarm of bees. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 4782. It was easy, just like desert sand. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 4410. It looked like Smokey the Bear.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I tried NGC 4726 in Triangulum. It was even more difficult than a spider. Next, I observed M 26. It looked a bit like Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to NGC 6598 in Corvus. It seemed most like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 6911. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find NGC 1779. It appeared as nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see IC 2474 in Ophiuchus. It looked like Demi Moore. Then, I logged B 196. It looked exactly like 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 stacking 400 Mars images by hand.