As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the higher implications of Doonsbury 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 61. It gave the appearance of the eye of God. Next, I tried M 104. It reminded me of cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located Abell 22. It was better than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I checked off M 54. It took me back to the first time I saw the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, I accidentally located IC 2741. It was even more difficult than the pillars of creation. With that checked off my list, I found by accident Abell 11. It sparkled like a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 811. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. Next, I checked out Abell 65. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. Next, I tried for Abell 61. It was like the invisible man. Then, I looked for and suspected IC 3663 in Perseus. It seemed fainter than a smoke ring. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 32. It compared favorably with cotton on velvet. Next, I located B 492. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 1311. It was even more difficult than diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I identified M 5. It somewhat resembled a smoke ring. Then, I studied NGC 6516. It was like the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 1590. It seemed just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. After that, I found by accident IC 985. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I glimpsed IC 3471. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 70. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon M 43 in Pisces Austrinus. It was like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 81. It was a dead ringer for the clouds I'd seen earlier.
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.