AL Observing Challenge – Special Observing Award

AL Observing Challenge and Special Award Coordinator:

Cliff Mygatt
P.O. Box 8607
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-265-5418
cliffandchris@wavecable.com

Introduction

The Astronomical League has identified opportunities to commemorate special astronomical events and bring you AL Observing Challenges.  New opportunities will be added as significant celestial events are identified.

Requirements and Rules

To earn the certification, you need to meet these requirements:

  • Image or sketch the required object(s)
  • Submit that image or sketch as indicated by that challenge.  These should show as much detail as possible.
  • Do an outreach activity related to the Observing Challenge.  Include the date, time, and details of this activity in the same email to the coordinator.
  • The deadline for submitting to meet this challenge is one month after the event, or as indicated by the specific Observing Challenge  Late submissions will not be accepted

You do not need to be a member of the Astronomical League to receive the first level of this certification, but it is required for the second level. If you are not a member and would like to become one, check with your local astronomical society, search for a local society on the Astronomical League Website, or join as a Member-At-Large in the member at large .
The certificates, which are suitable for framing, will be emailed to you upon completion of the Challenge and submission to the Coordinator and may be printed by you.

The AL Observing Challenges

Current Challenges:

10. T Coronae Borealis Observing Challenge and Special Observing Award.  (deadline for submission will be one month after the eruption)   As of 7/22/2025 – we are still waiting!

Effective immediately, the Astronomical League is bringing you another Observing Challenge.  This one is for the pending eruption of the Nova T Coronae Borealis.  it is expected to happen some time between now and September.  There will be two levels of this award, both will include certificates and Level 2 will  include a pin.

Levels and their requirements:

Level 1 – AL Observing Challenge. (certificate only)

  • This level may be done by anyone, even non-members of the Astronomical League.
  • This may be done visually through a telescope or through imaging.
  • Two observations are required:
    • Observe T Coronae Borealis before the eruption (now).
    • Observe T Coronae Borealis during the Nova stage.
  • An Outreach Activity is also required, to share this event with the public.

Level 2 – AL Special Observing Award. (certificate and pin)

  • This level requires membership in the Astronomical League.
  • The brightness data (measurements from your observations) must also be submitted to the American Association of Variable Star Observers.
    • Their website:  https://www.aavso.org/
    • You must have an account and an ID with AAVSO to submit.  You do NOT have to join AAVSO to submit.
    • This is much more valuable (and accurate) if you are doing this through imaging.
    • We encourage you you to also use a photometric “V” filter if possible.
    • All instructions and information on submitting data is on the AAVSO website.  They have manuals to help you with the process  (https://www.aavso.org/observing-manuals.):
      • Visual observers should use the “Manual for Visual Observing of Variable Stars”
      • Monochrome CCD/CMOS images should read the “Guide to CCD/CMOS Photometry with Monochrome Cameras” and
      • Folks with color cameras, including DSLRs should go to the “DSLR Observing Manual”.
    • You should make the first observation as soon as you can, before T Coronae Borealis erupts, even if you are not yet set up to submit data to the AAVSO.  The important piece is to collect the data now.
    • This is the same process that is used in the Astronomical League’s Variable Star and Nova Observing Programs.

13. International Observe the Moon Night Observing Challenge – 2025.  (deadline for submission is November 11, 2025)

The Astronomical League is once again partnering witih NASA for the 2025 International Observe the Moon Night.  We are bringing you another Observing Challenge.  And like most of our Observing Challenges, you do not need to be a member of the Astronoical League to participate.  It is open to everyone.

Requirements:

  1. Do an observation of the Moon with either Binoculars or a Telescope.   It may be done Eyes Only, but the details will be very small and s  omewhat difficult to see.
  2. The observation must be done between October 2, 2025 and October 11, 2025 to be able to see the four required Maria.
  3. The observation may be done visually or through imaging.  Include information on the equipment used.
  4. Observe these Maria (dark areas):
    • Mare Serenitatis
    • Mare Tranquilliatatis
    • Mare Imbrium
    • Mare Cognitum
  5. Label these four Maria and also the 6 Apollo Mission landing sites.
  6. Do an outreach activity to share information about the Apollo Missions or the Moon.  This may also be the Observe the Moon event itself.
  7. Submit the required information and the sketch or image to the Coordinator.
  8. Deadline for submission is November 11, 2025.  Late entries will not be accepted.

The Observing area on the Moon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Links for Various Challenges:

Submitting for an award with the Astronomical League:  Submissions for an AL Observing Challenge should be done through the Coordinator for the AL Observing Challenges..

Information required:

  • Your name, eMail address, Postal Address, and Phone Number
  • Your Astronomy Club affiliation (or Member at Large) if you are part of the Astronomical League
  • Sketches or Images
  • Equipment used
  • Dates and Times
  • Latitudes and Longitudes of the Observations
  • Information about the Outreach Activity

14. Huygen’s TOES Observing Challenge – 2025.  (deadline for submission is October 20, 2025)

Named in honor of Huygens and the Huygens Probe that landed on Tital, and following the tradition of the Galileo’s TOES certificates, The Astronomical League has created this Observing Challenge.  It is open to everyone.

It is a rare event, but just like Jupiter’s Galilean Moons, Titan’s Shadow transits the face of Saturn.  Although some have already occurred, there are four left to see this time around.  (The next opportunity is in 2040!)

These are the upcoming shadow transits for the Houston area.  Your times will vary slightly, and more for different time zones.

  • Aug 3: 01:25 – 06:04 CDT.
  • Aug 19: 00:52 – 05:00 CDT.
  • Sept 4: 00:25 – 03:50 CDT.
  • Sept 20: 00:09 – 02:34 CDT.
  • The one on October 4 does not count since it is mid-transit…

Requirements for this Observing Challenge:

  1. Do an Outreach Activity related to the Titan Shadow Transit.
  2. Observe a Titan Shadow Transit using a telescope.  Observations may be done any time in 2025, up to the last one on September 20, 2025
  3. Sketch or image Titan’s Shadow during the Transit.
  4. Identify Titan’s Shadow in the sketch or image.
  5. Include information on your telescope and camera (if used).
  6. Forward the sketch or image, plus the information on the outreach activity to the AL Observing Challenge Coordinator.  Submission deadline is October 20, 2025.

Information Required:

  • Your name, eMail address, Postal Address, and Phone Number
  • Your Astronomy Club affiliation (or Member at Large) if you are part of the Astronomical League
  • Sketche or Image
  • Equipment used (Telescope, Camera)
  • Date and Time of your observation
  • Latitudes and Longitudes of the Observation
  • Information about the Outreach Activity

Past Challenges:

1. The Great Conjunction Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was February 21, 2021)
2.  Observing The Moon Observing Challenge – 2021 (deadline for submission was October 16, 2021)
3.  The AL 75th Year Anniversary Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was December 31, 2021)
4.  Astronomical League Galaxy Season Observing Challenge (deadline for submission was June 30, 2022)
5.  Astronomical League Globular Cluster Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: October 31, 2022)
6.  Observing the Moon Observing Challenge – 2022  (deadline for submission: November 9, 2022)
7.  Astronomical League – Moons Observing Challenge  (deadline for submission: December 31, 2022)
8.  Astronomical League – Galaxy Challenge 2.0  (deadline for submission: July 25, 2023)
9.  Astronomical League Moon Observing Challenge – 2023 (deadline for submission: November 21, 2023.)
10.  Astronomical League T Corona Borealis Challenge (still in progress)
11.  Astronomical League Solar Maximum Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: April 30, 2025.)
12.  Astronomical League Moon Observing Challenge – 2024 (deadline for submission: October 14, 2024.)
13.  Astronomical League Moon Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: November 11, 2025.)
14.  Huygen’s TOES Observing Challenge (deadline for submission: November 6, 2025.)

 

 

For details on the requirements for prior awards, click here.

AL Observing Challenges and Special Awards Coordinator:

Cliff Mygatt
P.O. Box 8607
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-265-5418
cliffandchris@wavecable.com
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