As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the popularity of Doonsbury 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 13 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 58 in Sagittarius. It looked like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to B 365. It was as bright as dancing elephants. Next, I added to my logbook IC 767 in Draco. It seemed fainter than whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook Abell 85. It gave the appearance of a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness.
After a short break to have a smoke, I went for Abell 47 in Ophiuchus. It appeared as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to B 342. It seemed most like a waterfall. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 410. It appeared as dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I star-hopped to IC 3196 in Corvus. It glowed, rather like a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 3490. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I showed some guests M 36. It seemed most like blackness. Next, I found Abell 46. It looked uncannily like nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to check my email, I nudged my telescope to M 35 in Perseus. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Next, I helped a beginner find IC 1898. It was better than the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.