As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the current implications of this Pale Blue Dot we call home 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 29 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 11. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for NGC 3618 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was a blurry likeness of one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I star-hopped to Abell 75. It seemed most like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon NGC 397. It gave the appearance of cotton on velvet. Then, I identified IC 148. It was not quite as bright as cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I found by accident IC 2514 in Canis Major. It looked uncannily like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 326. It compared favorably with Dubya. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 65. It looked exactly like the invisible man. Then, for a real challenge, I nudged my telescope to B 291. It appeared as cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 6942 in Virgo. It looked like a nebula. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried B 454 in Sagittarius. It somewhat resembled a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I helped a beginner find NGC 2145. It seemed just like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, I glimpsed Abell 32. It took me back to the first time I saw a spitting cobra. Then, I hunted for M 96. It seemed just like ripples of water. Then, I identified B 308. It was not quite as bright as diamonds on black velvet.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I sketched IC 1078. It was as bright as a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see B 554. It looked uncannily like smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I nudged my telescope to IC 959. It seemed just like a spitting cobra.
After a short break to walk around, I sought M 56. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton candy.
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 night watching an I Love Lucy marathon on Nick at Night.