As I drove up the winding road to Dinosaur Point, 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 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 55 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It was even more difficult than a spider. Then, I logged NGC 3115. It sparkled like the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I checked off B 320. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I located NGC 5544. It seemed fainter than a spider. Then, I sought Abell 17. It seemed most like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I star-hopped to M 47. It glowed, rather like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified IC 1279 in Orion. It appeared as black pearls on flocked paper. Next, I helped a beginner find M 2. It seemed fainter than lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 62 in Sculptor. It glowed, rather like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at B 165 in Serpens. It appeared in the eyepiece like nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I hunted for NGC 2928. It compared favorably with the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 74. It was better than black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I found by accident B 256. It was a dead ringer for a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I nudged my telescope to B 267. It was better than a UFO. Then, I hunted NGC 2096. It gave the appearance of the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected IC 1990. It appeared as a nebula. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 1 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was easy, just like the eternal nothingness of being. With that checked off my list, I checked off B 479. It seemed just like a spider. Then, I logged Abell 74 in Canis Major. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 315. It reminded me of spent coals, faintly glowing.
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 being ravaged by savage wild wombats.