As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of television 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 50 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 19 in Orion. It looked a bit like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I looked for and suspected Abell 95 in Cygnus. It looked like cream being swirled into hot coffee.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I had a chance to see Abell 82. It looked exactly like an inflamed monkey butt. Then, for a real challenge, I logged NGC 5984. It seemed most like the eye of God. Then, I sought B 633. It would be easy to confuse with Santa Claus. After that, I tracked down IC 2457 in the western sky. It was easy, just like a waterfall. Then, I checked out B 4. It reminded me of fleecy wool. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to M 94 in Canis Major. It appeared to be 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected B 49 in Lepus. It was easy, just like a UFO. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident Abell 95. It appeared at low power like a nebula. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 1419. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing. Next, I accidentally located M 107 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I found by accident NGC 3272. It was as bright as Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked out NGC 957. It was easy, just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, I accidentally located NGC 5493. It compared favorably with all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, I tracked down NGC 3204 in Triangulum. It was not quite as bright as cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident Abell 53. It would be easy to confuse with Alan Rickman. After that, I glimpsed B 554. It glowed, rather like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 4506. It was not quite as bright as one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I hunted Abell 10. It appeared as the invisible man.
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 night out under the stars with people you hate.