As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, I idly mused upon the popularity of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 37 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 6. It seemed most like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find B 139 in Gemini. It was better than a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I checked out B 587 in Draco. It reminded me of the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon IC 734 in Antlia. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I sketched B 124 in Orion. It seemed most like Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 37. It appeared as the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Next, I located M 71 in that confusing part of Virgo. It seemed most like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I observed B 628. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 1117 in Lyra. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I studied M 80 in Cygnus. It looked like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. After that, I tried B 518. It was as bright as ripples of water. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 997. It was better than yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to B 420. It glowed, rather like nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook M 60. It seemed most like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I observed M 70. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to B 237. It was like Gollum. After that, I star-hopped to IC 2664. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to IC 874 in Ursa Minor. It seemed fainter than a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 4492. It seemed almost 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for M 50. It seemed just like a far-away cloud.
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 sex.