As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the study of economic theory 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68 in Perseus. It was better than a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon Abell 99. It looked exactly like fleecy wool. After that, I studied IC 2857. It appeared in the eyepiece like Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied NGC 5495 in Virgo. It was better than fleecy wool. Then, I found Abell 36. It appeared to be a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I sought Abell 52. It looked a bit like a nebula. Next, I accidentally located B 608 in Ophiuchus. It appeared as blackness. Then, I jumped to B 137. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I tried IC 1507. It sparkled like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 76. It looked uncannily like lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 359. It appeared as a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 341. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 37. It appeared at low power like a spider.
After a short break to walk around, I looked for and suspected IC 871. It was better than a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 21 in Gemini. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 212 in Camelopardalis. It seemed just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located M 79. It reminded me of blackness. Next, I sought B 169 in Lyra. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee. With that checked off my list, I hunted for Abell 88. It appeared to be the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I went for NGC 2538 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I looked for and suspected B 439 in Sculptor. It was as bright as Demi Moore. Then, I went for NGC 4433 in Serpens. It took me back to the first time I saw a UFO. Next, I logged B 333 in Scutum. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 382. It shimmered, as if it were nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.