As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 101. It reminded me of cotton candy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I stumbled upon B 276 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like lumpy darkness. Then, I sketched IC 556 in Perseus. It would be easy to confuse with nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, I accidentally located Abell 24. It was as bright as a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, I slewed to M 105 in Lepus. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I stumbled upon B 273 in Pisces Austrinus. It reminded me of a nebula.
After a short break to check my email, I added to my logbook Abell 9. It was easy, just like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted for NGC 6723. It gave the appearance of Gollum. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 76 in Scorpius. It was like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After that, I jumped to NGC 4310 in that confusing part of Virgo. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Then, I hunted for M 90. It appeared at low power like the eternal nothingness of being.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I had a chance to see IC 2100. It appeared at low power like nothing I'd ever seen before.
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 phone sex.