As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the current state of underwater basket weaving 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 7 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 44 in Perseus. It took me back to the first time I saw Smokey the Bear. After that, I nudged my telescope to Abell 92 in Antlia. It compared favorably with smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I found by accident NGC 4895. It sparkled like the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I sought M 97. It seemed almost the last six objects I'd seen. Then, I hunted for IC 2614. It seemed fainter than a far-away cloud. After that, I star-hopped to NGC 1280. It was a blurry likeness of a spider. After that, I went for NGC 2881 in Corvus. It was a dead ringer for Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. With that checked off my list, I looked at NGC 4289 in Antlia. It appeared as black pearls on flocked paper.
After a short break to munch cheesy poofs, I found M 57 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of a whale spouting. After that, I had a chance to see Abell 9. It seemed most like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, I hunted for M 97 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I tracked down NGC 22. It took me back to the first time I saw diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I checked out M 79. It compared favorably with fleecy wool. With that checked off my list, I observed NGC 1349 in Corvus. It reminded me of cream being swirled into hot coffee.
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.