As I drove up the winding road to my driveway, I idly mused upon the current implications of TAC as I contemplated the approaching back of the front... would seeing and transparancy improve soon?. When I arrived at the parking lot, it was filled with friends eager for a night's observing. I counted at least 19 telescopes set up.
I started my night's observing with one of my favorite objects, M 66. It glowed, rather like a nebula. Then, for a real challenge, I added to my logbook IC 333. It was better than ripples of water. Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought IC 2858. It gave the appearance of a whale spouting. Then, I looked for and suspected Abell 86. It was as bright as cotton candy. Next, I sketched Abell 96. It appeared to be cream being swirled into hot coffee. Then, I checked off Abell 20. It was as bright as whispy tendrils of nebulosity. With that checked off my list, I tracked down IC 3249 in Triangulum. It was even more difficult than the invisible man. After that, I sketched NGC 861 in an unknown constellation that looked like a toaster. It would be easy to confuse with a hamburger. (Hmm, it had been a while since dinner). Next, attacking my personal nemesis, I sought NGC 6883. It seemed most like cotton candy. Then, for a real challenge, I studied Abell 70. It gave the appearance of cotton candy. After I'd spent a few minutes looking at that, I identified NGC 73. It sparkled like blackness.
After a short break to enjoy a nutritious snack, I studied IC 1999 in Draco. It seemed just like a faint puff of nothingness, with a suspected, but not confirmed, central star. After that, I hunted B 44. It reminded me of an inflamed monkey butt. Then, I found Abell 34. It looked uncannily like the exhaust from a diesel Suburban. With that checked off my list, I added to my logbook B 133. It seemed fainter than cotton candy.
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 listening to the Monkees Box Set.