As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the inner workings of chaos theory 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 31. It was a blurry likeness of Gollum. After that, I found by accident Abell 35 in Lynx. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I looked at Abell 61. It gave the appearance of the clouds I'd seen earlier. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched NGC 5286. It looked like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to M 45. It compared favorably with the clouds I'd seen earlier. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 2774 in Virgo. It was like the clouds I'd seen earlier. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted B 191 in Hydra. It glowed, rather like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off NGC 4166. It was as bright as diamonds on light grey velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed IC 3411 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared in the eyepiece like Demi Moore. Then, I hunted IC 2557. It was as bright as a spitting cobra.
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 ebola.