As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current state of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. 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 38. It reminded me of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged B 102. It shimmered, as if it were dandruff on black satin pajamas. With that checked off my list, I found Abell 23. It seemed fainter than cotton on velvet. After that, I looked for and suspected M 103. It was a dead ringer for all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 3564. It seemed almost the face of God. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 3. It seemed almost a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 204 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a blurry likeness of cotton candy. Then, I jumped to IC 956. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located Abell 48 in Camelopardalis. It seemed fainter than the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see M 90 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, for a real challenge, I logged IC 1428. It looked a bit like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I sought M 12. It was easy, just like cotton candy. After that, I looked at IC 151. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I tried B 503 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It would be easy to confuse with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I hunted for M 47. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find M 30. It seemed almost that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 86. It was not quite as bright as two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I hunted M 101. It reminded me of one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 2264 in Lynx. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I jumped to NGC 1320. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 32 in Ursa Minor. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at IC 2482. It was easy, just like fleecy wool.
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 kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.