As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the insignificance of Plato's Republic 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 34 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 54 in Virgo. It appeared as smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I nudged my telescope to Abell 49. It glowed, rather like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I hunted for Abell 72 in Scutum. It shimmered, as if it were dancing elephants. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 6570. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. After that, I added to my logbook B 230. It was even more difficult than diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to listen to Mozart, I sought NGC 3569 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I identified Abell 94. It sparkled like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I added to my logbook M 68. It was like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I sought NGC 5165 in Camelopardalis. It was as bright as R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 60. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. Then, for a real challenge, I tried B 149. It appeared to be the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to M 61 in Triangulum. It was a blurry likeness of a nebula. With that checked off my list, I observed M 19. It appeared at low power like the last six objects I'd seen. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 185 in Draco. It somewhat resembled a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 5715 in Septans. It was a blurry likeness of all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
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 poke in the eye with a frozen dishrag.