As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the study of Dilbert as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. After that, I tracked down NGC 3882 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared to be a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I located Abell 3. It glowed, rather like blackness.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked off B 396. It seemed most like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 271 in Lynx. It reminded me of Gollum.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I identified IC 2785. It looked uncannily like Smokey the Bear. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 73 in Canes Venatici. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall. Next, I logged IC 2725. It seemed just like Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 2451. It seemed just like Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 68. It seemed fainter than the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I identified IC 3311 in Hydra. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to do some yoga, I nudged my telescope to Abell 61. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to check my email, I slewed to B 390 in Canis Major. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, I looked at IC 573 in Lynx. It seemed almost the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off IC 2132. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy.
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 ebola.