As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the morality of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 51 in Draco. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I found B 134. It seemed just like nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to NGC 400. It seemed fainter than R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down Abell 79 in Sculptor. It appeared in the eyepiece like a waterfall. Next, I slewed to B 329. It appeared at low power like fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 2290. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees. Then, I looked for and suspected NGC 6392 in Scutum. It seemed just like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 83. It appeared as George W. Bush. Next, I logged Abell 15 in Cygnus. It gave the appearance of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon NGC 6355. It compared favorably with a nebula.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sketched Abell 21. It was better than whipped cream. Next, I stumbled upon Abell 77 in Canes Venatici. It sparkled like fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 2847. It somewhat resembled Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I found NGC 4368. It looked exactly like a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed Abell 99. It would be easy to confuse with a swarm of bees.
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 ebola.