As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the inner workings of the human spirit 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 23 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 76 in Ursa Minor. It sparkled like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 1. It was a blurry likeness of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I nudged my telescope to B 159. It looked a bit like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 12 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It looked a bit like R2-D2. After that, I located Abell 37 in Septans. It looked exactly like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I checked off B 200. It was like a swarm of bees. After that, I tried Abell 80. It seemed most like the eye of God. Next, I located B 21 in the western sky. It looked exactly like an inflamed monkey butt.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I had a chance to see IC 242. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I had a chance to see Abell 32. It took me back to the first time I saw spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I checked off IC 1592. It would be easy to confuse with 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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.