As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the higher implications of tight underwear 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 37 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It seemed fainter than dancing elephants. Next, I hunted for NGC 834. It compared favorably with a smoke ring. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located M 71 in Hydra. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on black velvet. After that, I stumbled upon B 165. It looked uncannily like dandruff on black satin pajamas. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought IC 645 in Lepus. It seemed most like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 12 in Septans. It appeared in the eyepiece like R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I hunted for NGC 5232 in Virgo. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon M 49 in Sagittarius. It glowed, rather like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 3537. It would be easy to confuse with R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I located IC 2883 in the western sky. It shimmered, as if it were fleecy wool. Then, I went for NGC 4212 in Canes Venatici. It looked exactly like its Hubble photograph. After that, I checked out Abell 3. It was even more difficult than a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 50. It looked like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to IC 3300. It looked a bit like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, for a real challenge, I sought B 633. It reminded me of lumpy darkness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sought B 603. It gave the appearance of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, I jumped to IC 2141 in that confusing part of Virgo. It glowed, rather like a far-away cloud. Then, I logged Abell 45. It was better than dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I star-hopped to IC 3467. It was not quite as bright as a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located NGC 2055 in Pisces Austrinus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a waterfall.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.