As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the human spirit 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 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 104. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 42 in Sagittarius. It appeared to be yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed NGC 2682. It looked exactly like whipped cream.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I studied B 26 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed just like a far-away cloud. Then, I added to my logbook Abell 78. It was a blurry likeness of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident IC 683. It somewhat resembled whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I had a chance to see M 54. It seemed almost a whale spouting. With that checked off my list, I located M 99 in Corvus. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.