As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the morality of AP Refractors 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 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3 in Hydra. It seemed almost Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I checked out Abell 76. It appeared to be all the other smudges I've ever looked at. With that checked off my list, I checked out B 517 in Pisces Austrinus. It seemed most like diamonds on light grey velvet. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook NGC 5122. It compared favorably with a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 319. It appeared at low power like whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to have a smoke, I found IC 977. It was better than cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged IC 3663. It seemed most like all the other smudges I've ever looked at. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down B 581. It shimmered, as if it were Dubya. With that checked off my list, I slewed to NGC 3483. It appeared to be Alan Rickman. Then, for a real challenge, I hunted M 51. It would be easy to confuse with diamonds on light grey velvet. After that, I glimpsed B 642. It appeared in the eyepiece like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After that, I had a chance to see NGC 6536. It gave the appearance of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I looked for and suspected B 370. It appeared as whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 9. It was better than the last six objects I'd seen. Next, I sought IC 1724. It was easy, just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down NGC 2770 in that confusing part of Virgo. It appeared at low power like a spitting cobra. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched B 265. It was a dead ringer for Dubya. With that checked off my list, I had a chance to see NGC 2653. It compared favorably with lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I sketched Abell 78 in Camelopardalis. It somewhat resembled a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. After that, I hunted NGC 2187. It was as bright as the invisible man. Then, I tried Abell 4. It seemed most like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 2081 in the western sky. It was even more difficult than spent coals, faintly glowing. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found M 48. It would be easy to confuse with a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.