As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of the universe 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 56 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 100. It glowed, rather like diamonds on light grey velvet.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tracked down NGC 1612. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner).
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I tracked down Abell 8. It was like a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for Abell 2. It seemed fainter than cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 95. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to B 134 in Corvus. It was a dead ringer for a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I star-hopped to B 180. It would be easy to confuse with the clouds I'd seen earlier. After that, I sketched M 91 in Orion. It appeared in the eyepiece like an inflamed monkey butt. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 4443 in Orion. It looked a bit like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find IC 2752 in Canes Venatici. It was even more difficult than a spider.
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 looking at another first attempt to image the Lagoon Nebula.