As I drove up the winding road to the middle of nowhere, I idly mused upon the morality of Plato's Republic as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 46 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 34. It was a blurry likeness of a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I helped a beginner find Abell 80. It glowed, rather like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I looked for and suspected M 36. It glowed, rather like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I accidentally located IC 2429. It somewhat resembled Santa Claus. With that checked off my list, I logged B 232. It was a dead ringer for a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I sought B 409. It appeared as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I found IC 1892. It appeared at low power like a far-away cloud. Then, I hunted IC 3346 in Corvus. It looked like cotton on velvet. Then, I tracked down B 532 in Scutum. It somewhat resembled fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to B 633 in Scorpius. It looked exactly like a nebula. After that, I slewed to M 84 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like Smokey the Bear. Then, I glimpsed Abell 60. It was a blurry likeness of yet another globular. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed NGC 6759 in the western sky. It glowed, rather like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I helped a beginner find M 70. It looked uncannily like a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests B 524. It was easy, just like whipped cream. Next, I found NGC 1894. It appeared to be desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed M 29 in Camelopardalis. It was easy, just like whipped cream. Next, I hunted B 372. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 79. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 4180. It sparkled like a whale spouting. After that, I added to my logbook Abell 49. It looked uncannily like dancing elephants. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 609. It was a blurry likeness of 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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.