As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of the internet 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 55. It appeared to be that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I helped a beginner find Abell 50. It looked exactly like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I went for NGC 499. It sparkled like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I jumped to IC 2798. It was better than a far-away cloud. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 75. It was a blurry likeness of two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tried for NGC 1161. It appeared in the eyepiece like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I added to my logbook IC 3618. It compared favorably with cotton on velvet. After that, I found by accident M 16. It somewhat resembled a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 630. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on black velvet. With that checked off my list, I tried B 451 in Antlia. It gave the appearance of lumpy darkness.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.