As I drove up the winding road to my backyard, I idly mused upon the subtle meaning of Norse mythology as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 42 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65. It seemed most like a waterfall. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 3439. It appeared to be yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located B 186. It looked a bit like blackness. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 9. It looked like an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I had a chance to see B 191. It appeared at low power like a whale spouting. Then, I tried for Abell 89 in the western sky. It looked uncannily like a cantilever bra. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found IC 2941. It reminded me of the pillars of creation. After that, I found by accident Abell 56. It appeared in the eyepiece like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down IC 3941. It would be easy to confuse with cotton on 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 a poetry reading marathon.