As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of this Pale Blue Dot we call home as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 39 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 94. It looked uncannily like blackness. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found NGC 1297. It was like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 3711. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I located B 153. It was a blurry likeness of the pillars of creation. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted for M 71. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. After that, I observed M 36. It was not quite as bright as a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests M 94. It gave the appearance of a waterfall. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 4. It was like its Hubble photograph. Next, I identified Abell 59. It looked a bit like the invisible man. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked for and suspected M 14. It would be easy to confuse with fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to Abell 83 in Hydra. It seemed almost that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found Abell 87. It appeared to be fleecy wool. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 5377 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw its Hubble photograph. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sketched NGC 5862. It looked a bit like dancing elephants. With that checked off my list, I found IC 3652. It compared favorably with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Then, I tried for IC 2499. It somewhat resembled R2-D2. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests Abell 75. It shimmered, as if it were the eye of God. Next, I had a chance to see IC 2742 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed fainter than a swarm of bees.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I logged B 37. It seemed fainter than black pearls on flocked paper. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off M 33 in Ursa Major. It looked like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I glimpsed M 39. It seemed almost black pearls on flocked paper. After that, I located M 53. It was better than cotton candy.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.