As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of cosmology as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 5 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 56 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I found Abell 49. It was not quite as bright as a spider. Then, I hunted B 271. It sparkled like George W. Bush. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged M 90 in Draco. It gave the appearance of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I looked for and suspected Abell 83. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I looked at B 259 in Ophiuchus. It was like a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 54. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 280 in Corvus. It was like the invisible man.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I looked at B 92 in Serpens. It seemed most like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I studied IC 283. It glowed, rather like yet another globular.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I stumbled upon M 93 in Camelopardalis. It was like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I helped a beginner find IC 1222. It seemed almost whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried Abell 34. It seemed just like a spider. Next, I looked for and suspected M 51. It seemed fainter than Santa Claus.
After a short break to do some yoga, I looked at B 58. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I hunted for M 30. It somewhat resembled Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I hunted for IC 1976. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I observed IC 1175. It gave the appearance of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected NGC 6945. It looked uncannily like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched M 56. It looked like fleecy wool. After that, I jumped to Abell 55. It seemed most like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 82 in the western sky. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 reading observing reports.