As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy of Doonsbury as I contemplated the night's aurora display. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 41 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 104 in Ophiuchus. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I found Abell 65. It would be easy to confuse with whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to converse with an owl, I tried IC 891 in Canis Major. It was like a nebula. With that checked off my list, I hunted IC 2955. It seemed fainter than the clouds I'd seen earlier.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I looked for and suspected M 42. It somewhat resembled whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook M 89 in Ophiuchus. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy. Next, I star-hopped to IC 276. It appeared as Gollum. With that checked off my list, I located M 87. It was not quite as bright as spent coals, faintly glowing. After that, I hunted NGC 1004. It was a blurry likeness of all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 1317 in Perseus. It seemed most like a nebula.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I tried for NGC 2170. It somewhat resembled Demi Moore. Next, I glimpsed B 75. It appeared as the eye of God. Next, I showed some guests IC 3256 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It reminded me of a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I observed M 97. It appeared at low power like cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I glimpsed Abell 35 in the western sky. It was better than Miss Piggy. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I observed IC 1029. It looked like black pearls on flocked paper.
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 ebola.