As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the past week of rain. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 31 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35. It looked uncannily like a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 2561. It seemed almost the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I glimpsed Abell 96. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I found M 58. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found B 390. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to B 597. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I star-hopped to B 563. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged M 90 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared to be R2-D2.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I star-hopped to NGC 4765 in Pisces Austrinus. It took me back to the first time I saw a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 1886. It looked a bit like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After that, I found NGC 6769. It looked like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to walk around, I logged Abell 29. It sparkled like ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook IC 1300. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I tried NGC 1315. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted IC 377. It was easy, just like a swarm of bees. Then, I tracked down IC 783. It was easy, just like cotton candy. Next, I tracked down B 139. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for NGC 3095. It appeared in the eyepiece like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at M 52. It compared favorably with a waterfall. Then, I hunted for Abell 10 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed most like the face of God. Then, I checked out NGC 2076 in Serpens. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down B 144. It was not quite as bright as the pillars of creation.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.