As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of cosmology as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 67. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I observed IC 1731. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out NGC 997. It looked like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at B 614. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 718. It reminded me of desert sand. After that, I identified M 24. It was like the eye of God. Then, I sketched B 283. It looked a bit like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook B 521. It reminded me of a waterfall.
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 a poetry reading marathon.