As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the deep impact of chaos theory 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 48 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 15 in Lynx. It compared favorably with a little triangle. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 6 in Canes Venatici. It shimmered, as if it were smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for M 42 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on black velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see M 87. It looked like a nebula. Next, I logged B 437. It looked uncannily like a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 27. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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 sex.