As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Yahoo P/E ratios as I contemplated the shrinking ozone layer. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 55 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 46. It reminded me of a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, I stumbled upon Abell 15. It appeared in the eyepiece like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 256. It compared favorably with R2-D2. With that checked off my list, I checked out M 4. It was even more difficult than all the other smudges I've ever looked at.
After a short break to chat, I sketched Abell 36. It was better than yet another globular. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I sketched Abell 34. It appeared in the eyepiece like a spider.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I logged NGC 4536. It sparkled like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 3290 in Ophiuchus. It looked exactly like cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I checked off Abell 32. It was like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed NGC 6724 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was as bright as a spitting cobra. After that, I went for IC 3190. It was easy, just like R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I helped a beginner find IC 3405 in Virgo. It was like R2-D2.
After a short break to do some yoga, I tried for IC 3267. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I went for NGC 1279. It somewhat resembled a cantilever bra. Next, I helped a beginner find B 415 in Cygnus. It seemed most like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I went for NGC 3720. It appeared in the eyepiece like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to IC 994. It was not quite as bright as nothing I'd ever seen before.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I observed NGC 5909. It was easy, just like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I looked at Abell 7. It was a dead ringer for the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to IC 210. It seemed most like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. With that checked off my list, I found by accident Abell 27. It compared favorably with whipped cream.
After a short break to gulp down my remaining canned margaritas, I checked out B 364 in Pisces Austrinus. It took me back to the first time I saw Miss Piggy. Next, I tracked down IC 3614. It was as bright as yet another globular.
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 stale peeps.