As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the study of TAC as I contemplated the ominous thunderheads on the horizon. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 26 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 87. It appeared to be smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 4986. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I sketched B 162. It appeared in the eyepiece like two scoops of spumoni ice cream.
After a short break to recite my mantra, I tried for M 79 in Septans. It seemed most like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located Abell 65 in Ursa Minor. It appeared in the eyepiece like a swarm of bees. After that, I observed IC 99. It looked exactly like a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I studied M 67 in Ursa Minor. It was a blurry likeness of that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I slewed to Abell 26. It gave the appearance of blackness. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I checked off Abell 2. It seemed fainter than a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I went for NGC 5810 in Virgo. It sparkled like black pearls on flocked paper. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 165. It was easy, just like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off M 65 in Lynx. It looked uncannily like black pearls on flocked paper. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tracked down NGC 6631. It appeared to be Alan Rickman. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected Abell 34. It looked like a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). After that, I observed B 345. It was a blurry likeness of dancing elephants. After that, I logged NGC 1974. It compared favorably with the eye of God. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I accidentally located NGC 2855. It was as bright as Miss Piggy.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I looked for and suspected B 128. It looked a bit like the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I accidentally located IC 3672. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. Next, I hunted for IC 2387. It appeared in the eyepiece like the eye of God. Next, I had a chance to see Abell 14 in Draco. It looked a bit like a nebula.
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 spending a day at the mall with my teenage daughter.