As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep impact of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I found by accident Abell 95 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was a blurry likeness of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed M 77. It looked uncannily like a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed IC 2801. It was not quite as bright as a waterfall. Then, I went for IC 2181. It appeared in the eyepiece like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I hunted IC 2139 in Camelopardalis. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 1215. It seemed fainter than Smokey the Bear. Then, I glimpsed B 3. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1859. It appeared to be a nebula. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 643. It reminded me of smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted NGC 257. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Then, I sketched IC 3836. It looked exactly like the eye of God.
After a short break to have a smoke, I helped a beginner find M 57. It appeared to be cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to have a smoke, I looked for and suspected M 43 in Septans. It appeared as a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for B 447. It sparkled like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located IC 3909. It was easy, just like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I studied NGC 373. It seemed just like ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 538 in Cygnus. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. Next, I went for Abell 21. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. Then, for a real challenge, I found NGC 3613 in Canis Major. It shimmered, as if it were the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for M 7 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled a little triangle.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I observed IC 2847 in Gemini. It was better than the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I checked off Abell 24. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I helped a beginner find Abell 24. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.