As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the inner workings of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. 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 33. It would be easy to confuse with a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I tried for Abell 88 in Camelopardalis. It compared favorably with cotton candy. After that, I tracked down Abell 10. It seemed most like Demi Moore. Then, I identified IC 3361. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook NGC 6340. It was better than a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to M 56. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I jumped to Abell 91. It seemed most like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon Abell 52. It would be easy to confuse with cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I showed some guests B 213 in Fornax. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident M 108 in Sculptor. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied IC 1986. It reminded me of the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed B 642. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I added to my logbook B 370. It was easy, just like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I jumped to M 38. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see Abell 60. It would be easy to confuse with the eye of God. Then, I logged M 3 in Serpens. It compared favorably with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
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 spending the evening reading blogs.