As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of AP Refractors as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 56 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked out IC 3161. It sparkled like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, I jumped to M 103. It was like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I looked at NGC 4483. It was easy, just like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I hunted B 636 in Cygnus. It seemed almost desert sand. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 6585 in Lyra. It reminded me of a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I studied B 86. It looked exactly like George W. Bush. Next, I hunted B 146. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I went for Abell 60. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. After that, I tried IC 2942. It was a blurry likeness of cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 71. It appeared at low power like cotton candy. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 66 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was even more difficult than Miss Piggy. After that, I went for NGC 2782. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I hunted IC 1176. It compared favorably with smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band.
After a short break to chat, I accidentally located M 43. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 35. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at IC 3035. It looked exactly like cotton candy. Then, I logged M 50. It looked exactly like the eye of God. Next, I glimpsed B 71. It would be easy to confuse with Demi Moore. Then, I nudged my telescope to IC 2233 in Ursa Minor. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, I looked at M 61. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 1 in Ophiuchus. It seemed fainter than lumpy darkness. After that, I found Abell 59 in Ursa Minor. It appeared in the eyepiece like nothing I'd ever seen before. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for IC 3676 in Antlia. It appeared to be whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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.