As I drove up the winding road to my secret observing location, I idly mused upon the popularity of the energy crisis as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 7 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 38. It was even more difficult than a far-away cloud. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 2312 in Scorpius. It appeared in the eyepiece like its Hubble photograph. After that, I tracked down B 421. It would be easy to confuse with spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I nudged my telescope to IC 1971. It was as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I identified Abell 79 in the western sky. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Then, I accidentally located B 619 in Canes Venatici. It looked uncannily like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I hunted B 568. It gave the appearance of a spider. With that checked off my list, I looked at B 339. It sparkled like cotton on velvet. Then, I tried NGC 4537. It looked a bit like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 3800. It appeared at low power like desert sand. After that, I nudged my telescope to M 13 in Hydra. It looked exactly like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, I tracked down M 87 in Gemini. It shimmered, as if it were a waterfall. Then, I sketched M 96 in Camelopardalis. It appeared in the eyepiece like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After that, I hunted for M 63 in Sagittarius. It appeared to be a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I stumbled upon M 18 in Lyra. It seemed most like 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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.