As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the current implications of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 49 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in Fornax. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to M 29 in Ursa Minor. It appeared as the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I had a chance to see Abell 7 in Hydra. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. Next, I tracked down Abell 54. It appeared at low power like spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I accidentally located M 96 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I found IC 2830 in Scorpius. It appeared to be Demi Moore. Then, for a real challenge, I went for M 98 in Ophiuchus. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being. After that, I nudged my telescope to M 23. It was even more difficult than George W. Bush. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 88. It seemed most like a cantilever bra.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I looked for and suspected NGC 4497. It was better than a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 54. It somewhat resembled R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I found IC 2380. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied Abell 82 in Fornax. It seemed almost lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located Abell 27 in Ursa Minor. It appeared in the eyepiece like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I sketched NGC 2395. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. Next, I identified B 20. It was a dead ringer for the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located Abell 73. It looked exactly like a little triangle.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I checked out M 43 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared at low power like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I tried for NGC 6664. It reminded me of cotton candy. Then, I looked at M 76 in Orion. It was as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 93. It was not quite as bright as Miss Piggy.
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 cleaning the bathroom.