As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 75. It appeared in the eyepiece like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 557. It somewhat resembled the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I hunted M 74. It glowed, rather like lumpy darkness. After that, I checked off NGC 3120. It seemed most like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 102. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I sketched NGC 2489 in the western sky. It seemed most like diamonds on black velvet. Then, I nudged my telescope to Abell 11. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 62. It gave the appearance of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I jumped to IC 3564 in Perseus. It somewhat resembled Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I helped a beginner find B 611. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for B 647. It was better than spent coals, faintly glowing. Then, I identified Abell 43. It appeared at low power like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tracked down B 293. It looked like blackness. With that checked off my list, I located Abell 3. It glowed, rather like a little triangle. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 92. It shimmered, as if it were ripples of water. Then, I star-hopped to Abell 88. It appeared to be one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I located NGC 5850 in Canis Major. It looked like cotton candy. Next, I found by accident B 452. It reminded me of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I stumbled upon IC 2405. It compared favorably with its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to M 34 in Perseus. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool. Next, I accidentally located IC 1982 in Scutum. It was a blurry likeness of Demi Moore. With that checked off my list, I studied B 577. It seemed most like dandruff on black satin pajamas.
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 sex.