As I drove up the winding road to Pacheco, I idly mused upon the subtle beauty of TAC as I contemplated the El Nino weather patterns. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 43 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 3. It reminded me of a spider. After that, I star-hopped to M 67 in the western sky. It seemed most like George W. Bush. With that checked off my list, I identified NGC 5518. It appeared at low power like Miss Piggy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to B 26 in Scutum. It was a dead ringer for its Hubble photograph. Then, I accidentally located NGC 4952. It appeared at low power like a cantilever bra. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 98 in Ursa Minor. It seemed just like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I studied B 232 in that confusing part of Virgo. It reminded me of cotton candy.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I went for IC 898. It gave the appearance of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Then, for a real challenge, I sought IC 599 in Septans. It looked like Miss Piggy. Then, for a real challenge, I found by accident IC 3351. It was a dead ringer for a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I glimpsed Abell 62. It was a dead ringer for a little triangle. Then, I star-hopped to NGC 4061 in Corvus. It looked exactly like desert sand.
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.