As I drove up the winding road to Devastated Area, I idly mused upon the study of TAC as I contemplated the threat posed by global warming. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 57 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 25 in Corvus. It was like desert sand. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tracked down NGC 1483 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It compared favorably with cotton on velvet. After that, I checked off B 613 in Canes Venatici. It appeared in the eyepiece like a nebula. Next, I hunted NGC 5188. It shimmered, as if it were a far-away cloud. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I slewed to IC 803. It seemed most like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Then, for a real challenge, I checked out IC 1862. It looked uncannily like the pillars of creation. Then, for a real challenge, I tried for Abell 13 in Serpens. It looked exactly like blackness. With that checked off my list, I logged Abell 7. It reminded me of the eternal nothingness of being. Then, for a real challenge, I jumped to IC 3951 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It took me back to the first time I saw lumpy darkness. Next, I slewed to M 2. It looked a bit like lumpy darkness. Then, I helped a beginner find M 60. It sparkled like Dubya. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at Abell 54. It looked a bit like a little triangle. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 1618 in Sculptor. It appeared at low power like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off Abell 81 in Fornax. It shimmered, as if it were the eternal nothingness of being. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I had a chance to see NGC 326. It looked uncannily like whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for Abell 69 in Scutum. It appeared at low power like a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Then, I checked out B 224. It glowed, rather like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I hunted for Abell 15. It was a blurry likeness of diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I star-hopped to Abell 21. It was easy, just like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I logged Abell 69. It appeared at low power like lumpy darkness. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 563. It reminded me of Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, I checked out Abell 22 in Orion. It was even more difficult than black pearls on flocked paper.
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 being strapped naked to an anthill.