As I drove up the winding road to another winding road only known to those from my support group, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 10 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 96 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I checked out B 264. It was better than its Hubble photograph. Next, I checked off IC 2748. It appeared at low power like fleecy wool. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for IC 1837. It reminded me of ripples of water. Next, I hunted M 21. It appeared to be Smokey the Bear. Then, for a real challenge, I tried M 15. It was like its Hubble photograph.
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.