Hubbles Night Sky Challenge

Celebrate 35 years of Hubble observations with a year-long night sky stargazing adventure for amateur astronomy enthusiasts.

Photo credit: NASA, ESA, J. Hester and A. Loll (Arizona State University)

Astronomy enthusiasts with a telescope are invited to commemorate Hubble’s 35th anniversary by participating in the year-long Hubble’s Night Sky Challenge. This exciting opportunity allows amateur astronomers to observe some of the same night sky objects that Hubble has captured from space. To take part, individuals should find a safe, dark location away from city lights, use star charts, and gaze upon iconic nebulae and galaxies observed by Hubble. How many of these celestial objects can be spotted?

Hubble's Night Sky Challenge

Hubble is partnering with The Astronomical League to coordinate the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge program, offering recognition to participants who successfully observe the listed objects. The challenge is open to all, with two levels of achievement, and observers do not need to be members of the Astronomical League to join. Detailed information about the challenge can be found on The Astronomical League’s Hubble Night Sky Observing Challenge page.

Amateur astronomy clubs, science centers, museums, and other organizations are encouraged to use the provided monthly lists of targets to host star parties. These events offer the public a chance to observe incredible astronomical objects in person.

Tips and useful information

Each month of the year has its own list of night sky targets. A large telescope, located in a dark sky away from city lights, will provide the best views of these objects. While binoculars and smaller telescopes may reveal some of the brighter targets, telescopes with at least six inches of aperture are recommended for optimal viewing.

Throughout 2025, Hubble will release the following month's list of targets, helping participants stay on track with their observations. Participants are encouraged to compare their views of these objects to Hubble’s images, though it is important to remember that ground-based telescopes may not capture the same clarity and detail as Hubble’s space-based observations, due to the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere.

Some objects on the list may only be visible from specific latitudes. To ensure accurate observations, the monthly lists provide separate recommendations for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Participants are encouraged to follow the list that corresponds to their location.

The objects listed come from two key catalogs: the Messier catalog (objects beginning with "M") and the Caldwell catalog (objects beginning with "C"). Each target is also ranked on a difficulty scale of 1-3, with 1 being the easiest and 3 the most difficult.

Night sky object lists by month

Photo credit: NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team

Hubble's Night Sky Challenge - January

The following night sky objects are visible in January. Participants are invited to find them and compare their views to Hubble’s images:

Northern hemisphere objects

• M42: Orion Nebula – Diffuse Nebula, Difficulty: 1
• M1: Crab Nebula – Supernova Remnant, Difficulty: 2
• M43: DeMairan's Nebula – Diffuse Nebula, Difficulty: 2
• M78: Diffuse Nebula – Difficulty: 2
• M79: Globular Cluster – Difficulty: 2
• C46: Hubble's Variable Nebula – Nebula, Difficulty: 3
   

Southern hemisphere objects

• M42: Orion Nebula – Diffuse Nebula, Difficulty: 1
• M1: Crab Nebula – Supernova Remnant, Difficulty: 2
• M43: DeMairan's Nebula – Diffuse Nebula, Difficulty: 2
• M78: Diffuse Nebula – Difficulty: 2
• M79: Globular Cluster – Difficulty: 2
• C73: Globular Cluster – Difficulty: 2
• C103: Tarantula Nebula, 30 Doradus – Open Cluster + Nebula, Difficulty: 2
• C46: Hubble's Variable Nebula – Nebula, Difficulty: 3
   

Participants are encouraged to use detailed star charts and other resources to aid in locating the targets listed. Many books, software programs, apps, and websites offer helpful charts for the Messier and Caldwell objects.

Hubble's Night Sky Challenge