As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning 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 35 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 52 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It took me back to the first time I saw a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I tried IC 1566. It appeared to be a UFO. After that, I located IC 672. It would be easy to confuse with the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I checked off NGC 328 in Camelopardalis. It sparkled like whipped cream. Next, I jumped to M 70 in Antlia. It glowed, rather like a swarm of bees. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located M 24. It seemed most like a far-away cloud. After that, I checked off M 34. It reminded me of the last six objects I'd seen. After that, I checked off NGC 6769 in Ursa Minor. It appeared at low power like the pillars of creation.
After a short break to do some yoga, I looked for and suspected M 81. It was better than the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 5958 in Ursa Minor. It took me back to the first time I saw the eternal nothingness of being. Next, I hunted NGC 3221. It was a blurry likeness of a little triangle. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to Abell 62. It looked a bit like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 359 in Canis Major. It seemed almost a spitting cobra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 2117 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It shimmered, as if it were cotton on velvet. Then, I had a chance to see B 48. It gave the appearance of dandruff on black satin pajamas. Next, I star-hopped to B 95. It was better than Gollum. With that checked off my list, I observed M 55 in Camelopardalis. It shimmered, as if it were Santa Claus. Then, I added to my logbook IC 3703. It seemed almost ripples of water. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I stumbled upon B 122. It looked exactly like diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 observing reports.