As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the higher implications of world hunger 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 40 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65. It seemed fainter than two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I identified M 84. It appeared at low power like a UFO. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 692. It sparkled like a spider. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 5306. It seemed most like cream being swirled into hot coffee. Next, I identified NGC 6394 in Perseus. It looked exactly like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I showed some guests IC 1463. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eternal nothingness of being. Then, I accidentally located Abell 81. It seemed just like ripples of water.
After a short break to grab a cheese snack, I observed IC 2928. It seemed fainter than a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I hunted for Abell 85. It was a dead ringer for cotton on velvet. Next, I glimpsed NGC 3084 in Fornax. It was easy, just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). With that checked off my list, I slewed to B 109. It reminded me of cotton on velvet. After that, I slewed to Abell 24. It was better than cotton candy. With that checked off my list, I identified B 56 in Septans. It looked uncannily like a spider. With that checked off my list, I went for M 32. It reminded me of Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I studied Abell 85 in Corvus. It appeared in the eyepiece like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I looked at IC 434. It took me back to the first time I saw 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I looked at NGC 582. It gave the appearance of ripples of water.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I located IC 1823 in Septans. It was as bright as a waterfall. After that, I star-hopped to M 100. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged B 258. It was a blurry likeness of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to check my email, I found B 370 in Orion. It looked uncannily like diamonds on black velvet.
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 root canal.