As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the insignificance of television as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 24 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 15. It took me back to the first time I saw the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I located Abell 19 in Ophiuchus. It appeared at low power like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I found NGC 3450. It was even more difficult than ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 3333 in Fornax. It would be easy to confuse with a swarm of bees.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I located NGC 6521. It reminded me of Dubya. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched IC 1649 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged Abell 51. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 15 in Lepus. It was better than a cantilever bra. Then, I glimpsed NGC 4440. It was better than Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 71. It was not quite as bright as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I sketched Abell 24. It sparkled like a UFO.
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.