As I drove up the winding road to Fremont Peak State Park, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Norse mythology as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. 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 106. It seemed just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook M 70. It compared favorably with Demi Moore. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified IC 2949 in Ursa Minor. It was better than a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 88 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I identified M 18 in Scutum. It appeared as cotton candy.
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 reading Beowulf in Old English.