As I drove up the winding road to Henry Coe State Park, I idly mused upon the current state of economic theory as I contemplated the approaching chlorofluorocarbons ... would it be warmer tonight?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 12 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 68 in Ursa Minor. It gave the appearance of whipped cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried NGC 6158 in Triangulum. It appeared at low power like 60 grit carborundum on asphalt.
After a short break to chat, I star-hopped to NGC 6254 in Scorpius. It looked a bit like a smoke ring. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for IC 1193 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It sparkled like George W. Bush. After that, I stumbled upon NGC 4063 in Virgo. It shimmered, as if it were the face of God.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I hunted for B 472 in Fornax. It was easy, just like Miss Piggy. With that checked off my list, I nudged my telescope to NGC 1905. It was easy, just like the invisible man. With that checked off my list, I checked out IC 2128. It was a blurry likeness of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for M 107. It shimmered, as if it were a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, I slewed to NGC 223. It compared favorably with cream being swirled into hot coffee. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I showed some guests IC 793. It seemed just like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
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 Beowulf in Old English.