As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current implications of economic theory as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 1 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25. It reminded me of an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to walk around, I slewed to NGC 1723. It seemed most like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, for a real challenge, I sought Abell 66. It was a dead ringer for Demi Moore.
After a short break to chat, I looked for and suspected B 581. It seemed almost whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked for and suspected Abell 39 in Corvus. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy. Then, I added to my logbook M 34. It reminded me of dancing elephants. Next, I studied NGC 2127. It would be easy to confuse with an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I looked for and suspected M 41. It looked exactly like a smoke ring. After that, I hunted for IC 112. It appeared to be blackness. Next, I glimpsed M 73. It was a blurry likeness of nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I glimpsed NGC 5370 in Orion. It looked uncannily like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I glimpsed NGC 2380. It looked like lumpy darkness. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon B 579. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I slewed to Abell 46. It seemed most like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find Abell 6. It reminded me of fleecy wool. Then, I stumbled upon NGC 4099. It seemed most like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 39 in Scutum. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I nudged my telescope to B 555 in Lepus. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 91. It compared favorably with spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I logged NGC 2027. It shimmered, as if it were a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see M 21. It gave the appearance of a smoke ring.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I jumped to M 79. It somewhat resembled a waterfall. With that checked off my list, I tracked down NGC 4976. It seemed most like nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I tracked down NGC 5744. It sparkled like a waterfall.
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.