As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the La Nina conditions. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 61. It looked uncannily like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 33. It seemed just like Santa Claus. Next, I tracked down Abell 74. It seemed most like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see Abell 85 in Hydra. It was like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 247. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I located IC 786 in Fornax. It somewhat resembled a glimmer of the Big Bang. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 2771. It looked a bit like desert sand. Next, I tracked down NGC 1697. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. After that, I looked for and suspected IC 922. It took me back to the first time I saw an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 5511. It somewhat resembled the last six objects I'd seen. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 44. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 55 in Lynx. It was like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I looked for and suspected M 57 in Serpens. It seemed fainter than Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Then, I stumbled upon M 19 in Scutum. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I found by accident IC 2522 in Gemini. It was even more difficult than Alan Rickman. Next, I looked at Abell 54. It appeared to be R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I studied M 10. It appeared in the eyepiece like the invisible man. After that, I found by accident IC 3613. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool. Then, I had a chance to see NGC 5583 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw Santa Claus. Then, I hunted for M 65 in Scutum. It looked exactly like Smokey the Bear.
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 cleaning the bathroom.