As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications of the universe as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 2. It reminded me of whipped cream. After that, I hunted for IC 2977 in Canis Major. It appeared to be cotton candy.
After a short break to do some yoga, I tracked down IC 2772 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for IC 2065 in Virgo. It appeared at low power like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I logged M 49. It appeared as yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found IC 1831. It seemed fainter than a little triangle. After that, I helped a beginner find M 22. It reminded me of a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see M 54. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I added to my logbook Abell 8. It appeared to be the pillars of creation. Next, I tracked down IC 1808. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After that, I found by accident B 629. It appeared as a spitting cobra.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I went for NGC 4765. It appeared as the eternal nothingness of being.
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 a poetry reading marathon.