As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the popularity of cosmology 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 6 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 16. It looked like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to IC 1294. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I found by accident IC 976. It would be easy to confuse with 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. Next, I jumped to IC 3205. It glowed, rather like dandruff on black satin pajamas. Then, I star-hopped to B 581. It shimmered, as if it were a nebula. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted B 68 in Triangulum. It glowed, rather like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I sought B 608 in Fornax. It shimmered, as if it were dancing elephants.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I slewed to B 423. It seemed fainter than smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for Abell 96 in Fornax. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed M 89 in Gemini. It was not quite as bright as a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to IC 1367. It was not quite as bright as whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see B 586. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I added to my logbook NGC 2220 in Ursa Minor. It took me back to the first time I saw desert sand. After that, I studied B 505 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed almost a smoke ring. After that, I had a chance to see IC 1503 in Triangulum. It was like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 53. It looked a bit like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I studied NGC 4936. It was a blurry likeness of the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I showed some guests NGC 1615. It gave the appearance of a spider. With that checked off my list, I tried M 104. It seemed almost dancing elephants. After that, I identified M 48. It somewhat resembled desert sand. Then, I stumbled upon Abell 7. It gave the appearance of a UFO.
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 day out under the hot sun with bitter enemies.