As I drove up the winding road to Mount Tamalpais, I idly mused upon the popularity of TAC as I contemplated the fleecy clouds, hoping they would clear. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 21 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 65 in Lyra. It appeared as yet another globular. With that checked off my list, I went for IC 474. It appeared as Gollum. With that checked off my list, I checked off M 94. It was a dead ringer for whispy tendrils of nebulosity. Then, I showed some guests M 91. It glowed, rather like yet another globular. Next, I looked for and suspected Abell 40 in the western sky. It would be easy to confuse with one of Martha Stewart's doilies. With that checked off my list, I looked for and suspected NGC 6412. It somewhat resembled the eye of God. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I star-hopped to NGC 4506 in Ursa Major. It was easy, just like cotton on velvet. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I found by accident NGC 5387 in Pisces Austrinus. It was a dead ringer for the pillars of creation. Next, I added to my logbook M 50. It was a blurry likeness of whipped cream. With that checked off my list, I hunted M 38. It shimmered, as if it were one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After that, I studied B 599. It would be easy to confuse with Krylon Ultra-Flat Black.
After a short break to drink a slurpie, I checked out IC 3802. It was even more difficult than a far-away cloud. With that checked off my list, I identified M 35. It was easy, just like a spider. Then, for a real challenge, I slewed to NGC 2066 in Scutum. It was easy, just like two scoops of spumoni ice cream. Next, I tried NGC 1406. It took me back to the first time I saw cotton on velvet. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified B 62 in Scorpius. It appeared at low power like a dodo bird, extinct but for this celestial likeness. Next, I checked out NGC 5592 in Gemini. It was as bright as a Black Rider hunting for Frodo. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I went for IC 794 in Sculptor. It was not quite as bright as a little triangle. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I logged NGC 2725. It was a blurry likeness of a swarm of bees.
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 the evening reading blogs.