As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the study of TAC 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 44 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 35 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It shimmered, as if it were a smoke ring. With that checked off my list, I sought NGC 4538 in Perseus. It was a dead ringer for nothing I'd ever seen before. With that checked off my list, I stumbled upon NGC 4200 in that confusing part of Virgo. It looked like cotton on velvet. After that, I found NGC 581 in the western sky. It looked a bit like Gollum. With that checked off my list, I tried for M 75. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I had a chance to see B 475. It was like blackness. Then, I studied B 582. It appeared in the eyepiece like diamonds on light grey velvet. Next, I nudged my telescope to M 48. It seemed fainter than George W. Bush. After that, I studied NGC 4666. It reminded me of nothing I'd ever seen before. Then, for a real challenge, I found M 66. It was as bright as Gollum. After that, I tracked down NGC 6187 in Canes Venatici. It seemed almost lumpy darkness. Then, I located Abell 54. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down IC 2703. It appeared in the eyepiece like a UFO. With that checked off my list, I checked out Abell 67. It seemed just like a whale spouting. Then, for a real challenge, I stumbled upon B 650. It was a blurry likeness of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I hunted NGC 5273. It was a dead ringer for desert sand. After that, I looked at NGC 3008 in Draco. It was better than a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I sketched IC 937. It compared favorably with R2-D2. After that, I slewed to B 139. It took me back to the first time I saw a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I observed B 288. It gave the appearance of a swarm of bees.
After a short break to empty my output buffers, I studied Abell 58. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
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.