A new handout regarding light pollution is now available:  Out Unnatural Night.  It is available as one of our handouts on the web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/handouts-and-useful-information/.  Scroll down to Our Unnatural Night.

The Observing Program Division is considering creating a new Observing Program for Exoplanet Transits.  We need to do a “proof of concept”.  If you are willing and able to help as a tester, then we need you!  If you have done Novae (and Supoernovae) or Variable Stars, then the process is the same.  All we are looking for is a few successful runs from a few different astronomers.  Observations will count towards earning the future Observing Program.  For more information and to join the testing team, please contact Aaron Clevenson, Observing Program Director, at aaron@clevenson.org

The newest Night Sky Tools for April are now available.  Either scroll to the bottom of the League’s Home Page, or click here to go their directly:  https://www.astroleague.org/navigating-the-night-sky-guides/

Lots of changes.  If you recently worked on this Program, are working on it now, or are thinking about working on it, this is for you.

• Cliff Mygatt is the new Coordinator for the Asterism Observing Program.
• If you received a certificate since October 2024, please contact the Coordinator, Ciff Mygatt at cliffandchris@wavecable.com.
• If you submitted for certification but did not receive your certificate, please contact the Coordinator, Ciff Mygatt at cliffandchris@wavecable.com.
• Changes include:
  • Modifications to make the awards available to southern observers.
  • Addition of Eyes Only certificate (13 objects).
  • Addition of Binocular certificate (15 objects).
  • AReduction in required number of objects for full certification (and pin) (91 objects).

Please check out the AL web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/asterism-observing-program/

There are a number of enhancements to the Asterism Observing Program. Most notable are the Eyes Only (15 objects) and Binocular (20 objects) levels. There are more Eyes Only objects on the list. Also, go-to telescopes and remote telescopes are now allowed. For all the information, look at the Asterism Observing Program web page: https://www.astroleague.org/asterism-observing-program/

No changes to any of the rules or requirements – just name changes. The Imaging – Bennett Observing Program is now the Bennett – Imaging Observing Program. The Imaging – Caldwell Observing Program is now the Caldwell – Imaging Observing Program. The Imaging – Messier Observing Program is now the Messier – Imaging Observing Program.

This is it!  This is the time of year!  Your opportunity to see all 110 Messier Objects in a single night.  How many can you see?  You can download an observing form here:  https://www.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Messier-Marathon-Log-2025.pdf.  The AL also has a downloadable certificate that you can use for yourself or others.  It can be downloaded here:  https://www.astroleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AL-Messier-Marathon-Certificate-Allen.pdf.

The list of targets for March have been released by NASA.  For information about this Observing Challenge and the list, go to the AL web page:  https://www.astroleague.org/nasa-observing-challenges-special-awards/

NCRAL 2025 Conference – April 25 & 26, 2025

Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Minnetonka, MN

Registration: https://ncral2025.org/register/

Speakers:

• John Rummel: Can the Milky Way Cast a Shadow?
• Lawrence Rudnick: Game Changers in the Radio Sky
• Mike Benson: Astrophotography, My Journey
• Clem Pryke: Studying the Universe from the Bottom of the World
• Evan Skillman: Using the Large Binocular Telescope to Measure the Primordial Helium Abundance
• Greg Bragg: State of the Astronomy Industry
• Bob King: NASA’s Planned NEO Surveyor Hunts Killer Asteroids

To view the flyer, click here.

The monthly sky tools are available for February:  https://www.astroleague.org/navigating-the-night-sky-guides/

We also want to announce the addition of a What’s Up Doc? Newsletter for the Mountain Time Zone (Boise Idaho).

To automatically receive these newsletters in your email inbox each month, send a request to aaron@clevenson.org