As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact 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 17 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 78. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I nudged my telescope to M 15. It appeared at low power like desert sand.
After a short break to chat, I logged NGC 6313 in Sculptor. It was a dead ringer for Santa Claus. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to M 96 in Gemini. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at NGC 6162. It was even more difficult than Santa Claus. After that, I found by accident NGC 3890. It was even more difficult than a whale spouting.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I found by accident Abell 86. It was as bright as blackness. Next, I stumbled upon M 36. It seemed almost cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I logged B 235. It somewhat resembled cotton candy.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I found Abell 92 in Corvus. It appeared as a far-away cloud. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to NGC 4012. It was better than a far-away cloud. After that, I sketched NGC 6459. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located B 137. It was as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for NGC 6630 in the western sky. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I found by accident M 26. It was not quite as bright as cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find NGC 324 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook Abell 25 in Sculptor. It was like R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried B 552. It sparkled like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought Abell 50. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 34 in Antlia. It shimmered, as if it were two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I observed NGC 3347. It reminded me of a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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.