As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the popularity of Dilbert 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 51 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 38 in Gemini. It appeared at low power like yet another globular. Then, I logged B 45. It looked exactly like nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to M 103. It was not quite as bright as all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I jumped to B 259. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I went for IC 44. It was easy, just like ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected M 95. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 282. It looked exactly like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I tried Abell 77 in Fornax. It sparkled like cotton candy. Next, I hunted IC 1408. It glowed, rather like Miss Piggy. Next, I looked at B 325 in Canis Major. It was like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to Abell 55 in the western sky. It was a dead ringer for a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 242. It appeared at low power like whipped cream. After that, I tracked down NGC 1216 in Lynx. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I found M 49. It looked exactly like Santa Claus.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I glimpsed NGC 6964. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I added to my logbook NGC 1213. It seemed fainter than lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I observed M 31. It was a dead ringer for an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 62 in Sagittarius. It was like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 5. It seemed fainter than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 589. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 5906. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 1522. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on black velvet.
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 a night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.