As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the deep impact of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the crystal-clear skies. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 43. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 115 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was like blackness. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 197. It looked a bit like the pillars of creation. Next, I had a chance to see B 257. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. Then, I went for B 192. It looked uncannily like a whale spouting. After that, I identified M 33. It appeared at low power like the invisible man.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I looked at NGC 2096 in Draco. It appeared to be ripples of water. Next, I tracked down M 68. It seemed fainter than a cantilever bra. Next, I looked for and suspected NGC 4395. It gave the appearance of Miss Piggy.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I sought NGC 3636. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I slewed to IC 2724 in Cygnus. It gave the appearance of cotton candy.
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 Segmentation fault (core dumped).