As I drove up the winding road to Sierra Buttes, I idly mused upon the current implications 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 9 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It appeared as a UFO. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to IC 467. It looked a bit like Miss Piggy.
After a short break to walk around, I hunted for IC 63. It reminded me of diamonds on black velvet. After that, I added to my logbook M 23. It was not quite as bright as a glimmer of the Big Bang.
After a short break to check my email, I tracked down B 638. It was easy, just like an inflamed monkey butt. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I looked at Abell 26 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It was easy, just like black pearls on flocked paper. Then, I jumped to IC 407. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down B 419. It reminded me of a glimmer of the Big Bang. Next, I hunted for B 593. It reminded me of Miss Piggy. Next, I tried B 130. It was a dead ringer for a spider. With that checked off my list, I sought M 38 in Antlia. It sparkled like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I logged M 93 in Lepus. It somewhat resembled cotton on velvet. With that checked off my list, I star-hopped to M 45 in Lynx. It was easy, just like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I looked at M 19 in Lynx. It compared favorably with that graph in An Unpleasant Truth.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I observed M 36. It looked like a glimmer of the Big Bang. With that checked off my list, I glimpsed IC 752. It was better than diamonds on light grey velvet.
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 taking an elevator during a Stage 3 alert.