As I drove up the winding road to the Peak, I idly mused upon the impact upon modern astronomy 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 59 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 102 in Septans. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 974. It was even more difficult than whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I glimpsed B 123. It looked uncannily like one of Martha Stewart's doilies.
After a short break to warm up in the car, I jumped to IC 438. It sparkled like that graph in An Unpleasant Truth. Then, I sought NGC 582. It was not quite as bright as the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I logged IC 515. It seemed most like Krylon Ultra-Flat Black. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I added to my logbook IC 3186 in that confusing part of Virgo. It was easy, just like diamonds on black velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried IC 436. It reminded me of whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected IC 3139. It looked exactly like whipped cream. Then, I star-hopped to B 214. It appeared as spent coals, faintly glowing.
After a short break to cut some cheese, I glimpsed M 10 in Virgo. It seemed most like cotton candy.
After a short break to find a bush to pee on, I studied NGC 5579. It seemed fainter than a smoke ring. After that, I jumped to IC 2792 in Lepus. It reminded me of cotton candy. After that, I showed some guests NGC 6813. It reminded me of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I tried for B 606 in Lepus. It was a blurry likeness of desert sand. Then, I hunted for B 567. It looked uncannily like whipped cream. Then, for a real challenge, I tried NGC 6437. It took me back to the first time I saw a swarm of bees. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I tried for B 544. It seemed just like the face of God. With that checked off my list, I sought M 50 in a group of stars that looked like an armadillo. It seemed most like Dubya. After that, I looked at IC 3521. It was even more difficult than the clouds I'd seen earlier. With that checked off my list, I accidentally located M 58 in Canes Venatici. It appeared as a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I tracked down M 86. It appeared at low power like an inflamed monkey butt.
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.