As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the current state of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 53 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 107 in Serpens. It appeared at low power like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I looked for and suspected M 38. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon Abell 62. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests IC 1368. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 1054. It looked a bit like a nebula. Next, I located M 10. It seemed fainter than yet another globular. Next, I stumbled upon B 536. It appeared at low power like George W. Bush. After that, I found by accident NGC 1450. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. With that checked off my list, I located NGC 4911 in Lyra. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. Next, I observed IC 845. It seemed almost nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 83 in Orion. It was a blurry likeness of 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed IC 615. It looked exactly like a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 1429 in Canis Major. It glowed, rather like spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at M 81. It was a dead ringer for Dubya.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I helped a beginner find NGC 4865. It glowed, rather like a whale spouting. After that, I looked for and suspected Abell 25 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It compared favorably with a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 3974. It glowed, rather like a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tried for Abell 89. It was a blurry likeness of an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged IC 1493. It seemed most like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected B 347 in Ursa Minor. It looked like dancing elephants. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to M 107. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. Then, I observed M 96. It seemed just like fleecy wool.
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.