As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current state of cosmology 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 21 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 10 in Scorpius. It would be easy to confuse with a spider. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I slewed to M 76. It was as bright as 60 grit carborundum on asphalt. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 166. It was a blurry likeness of a spitting cobra. With that checked off my list, I studied NGC 2944. It reminded me of a UFO. Next, I found Abell 57 in Camelopardalis. It looked a bit like the eye of God. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon M 79 in Virgo. It was as bright as dancing elephants.
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.