As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of Yahoo P/E ratios 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 47 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 92. It sparkled like diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I hunted for B 289. It was a blurry likeness of Dubya. Then, I sketched NGC 6284. It looked a bit like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I had a chance to see NGC 5097. It glowed, rather like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I jumped to NGC 5736. It seemed most like spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I had a chance to see IC 3542. It looked a bit like Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 444 in Orion. It seemed just like yet another globular.
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 reading observing reports.