As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the cosmological implications 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 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 17. It seemed fainter than ripples of water. Next, I added to my logbook Abell 89. It looked uncannily like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I observed B 97. It looked a bit like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I checked out B 42. It looked a bit like desert sand. After that, I found IC 246. It was not quite as bright as a swarm of bees. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to NGC 4035. It seemed just like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After that, I found by accident M 9. It looked like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I went for IC 1423. It was like blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 3935. It reminded me of its Hubble photograph. Then, for a real challenge, I located NGC 5239. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found B 476 in Corvus. It sparkled like the pillars of creation.
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 sitting in a dentist's waiting room.