As I drove up the winding road to my home observatory, I idly mused upon the deep mystery of TAC as I contemplated the low fog. Would it rise, or not?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 54 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 62. It seemed just like the last six objects I'd seen. With that checked off my list, I showed some guests NGC 5951 in Corvus. It was better than one of Martha Stewart's doilies. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I observed IC 578. It shimmered, as if it were the pillars of creation. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I tried for NGC 6311. It reminded me of two scoops of spumoni ice cream. After that, I star-hopped to IC 2924. It seemed just like a cantilever bra. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I logged B 259 in Ursa Minor. It compared favorably with Alan Rickman. Then, I found B 361. It was a dead ringer for a whale spouting. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I had a chance to see B 566. It was not quite as bright as R2-D2. Then, for a real challenge, I had a chance to see Abell 75 in Scorpius. It looked uncannily like Miss Piggy.
After a short break to listen to the coyote symphony in the distance, I glimpsed Abell 93. It appeared to be an edge-on barred spiral with a sharp dust lane. Then, I jumped to NGC 1060. It gave the appearance of whispy tendrils of nebulosity. After that, I helped a beginner find B 604. It took me back to the first time I saw smoke signals from a rampaging Iroquois band. Then, for a real challenge, I checked off B 212. It sparkled like blackness.
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 yet another town star party with clueless newbies.