As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the socioeconomic impact of Norse mythology 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 4 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 29. It sparkled like ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed M 9 in Cygnus. It appeared as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I jumped to B 368. It appeared at low power like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I found M 73 in Canes Venatici. It appeared at low power like Smokey the Bear. After that, I looked at Abell 93. It took me back to the first time I saw ripples of water. Then, I showed some guests IC 1608 in Lyra. It was even more difficult than a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I accidentally located M 60. It was a blurry likeness of a waterfall. Then, I found by accident B 146. It appeared at low power like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. After that, I added to my logbook B 609. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I sketched IC 3341. It glowed, rather like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I sketched NGC 826. It seemed almost a Black Rider hunting for Frodo.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I stumbled upon M 27 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of yet another globular.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I looked for and suspected NGC 850 in Scorpius. It was a blurry likeness of Smokey the Bear. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 37. It gave the appearance of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I checked out M 7 in Canes Venatici. It was easy, just like diamonds on light grey velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for IC 1940 in Lyra. It glowed, rather like yet another globular. Next, I hunted for M 106. It was as bright as desert sand. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed M 18. It was a blurry likeness of cotton on velvet. Next, I tried for B 361. It glowed, rather like cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed Abell 73. It was as bright as yet another globular. After that, I showed some guests B 35. It looked like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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 a kick in the pants with a copper toed boot.