As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the current implications of Plato's Republic 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 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 73. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I hunted M 35. It appeared to be a nebula. Next, I showed some guests NGC 5897. It seemed fainter than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I accidentally located Abell 79. It was even more difficult than a spider. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 25. It took me back to the first time I saw nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 631 in Sagittarius. It was as bright as diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 56. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees. With that checked off my list, I found by accident B 457. It appeared to be a UFO. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident M 109 in Serpens. It sparkled like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I tracked down Abell 74. It seemed almost the eye of God. After that, I hunted for M 27. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched Abell 55 in Scutum. It appeared in the eyepiece like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, I had a chance to see B 34 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as Dubya. Then, I star-hopped to IC 1855. It took me back to the first time I saw the invisible man. Next, I sought B 149. It seemed fainter than a UFO.
After a short break to chat, I tracked down IC 1920. It took me back to the first time I saw R2-D2. Next, I located M 45. It looked uncannily like fleecy wool. Next, I tracked down B 4. It sparkled like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, I checked out NGC 6494. It would be easy to confuse with a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 15. It looked a bit like Dubya. Next, I glimpsed M 72. It was like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 394. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted Abell 9. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I checked out IC 2349. It was not quite as bright as Gollum.
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.