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.

Each Observing Program has unique requirements.  After reading this web page, and reviewing the Quick View of Requirements grid, if you have any questions about your equipment or how you plan to do your observations, please contact the Coordinator before you start observing.

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 3/8/2026 – 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 any time 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.

16. M102: “Messier’s Unknown Journey” Observing Challenge.  (deadline for submission is July 31, 2026)

M102, the Missing Messier.  There is much mystery surrounding Messier Object number 102.  Messier’s notes are not sufficient to identify which galaxy is the one that Messier included.  A number of potential candidates have been considered, each with their Pros and Cons.  The purpose of this challenge is to perform your own observations of the candidate galaxies, analyze each alternative, and propose which galaxy you believe is really M102.

Detailed information about the M102 Mystery and the potential candidates can be found here.

Observations must be done during the month of June 2026.

Requirements for this Observing Challenge:

  1. Do an Outreach Activity related to Messier and the M102 Mystery.
  2. Observe these galaxies to receive the standard certification:
    • M101
    • NGC 5866
    • NGC 5879
    • NGC 5905
    • NGC 5907
    • NGC 5908
  3. Additionally, observe these galaxies to receive the extended certification:  (a much larger telescope will likely be required to observe NGC 5928)
    • NGC 3665
    • NGC 5928
  4. Sketch or image the galaxies.
  5. Identify the galaxies in the sketches or images.
  6. On a star chart, identify the galaxies as well as the stars Theta Boötis, Omicron Boötis, and Iota Serpentis.
  7. Do an analysis for each of the galaxies and indicate the pros and cons for each being M102.
  8. Indicate your choice for M102.
  9. Include information on your telescope and camera (if used).
  10. Forward the sketch or image, plus the information on the outreach activity to the AL Observing Challenge Coordinator.  Submission deadline is July 31, 2026.

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
  • Equipment used (Telescope, Camera)
  • Date and Time of your observations
  • Latitudes and Longitudes of the Observations
  • Information about the Outreach Activity

For more information about the M102 Mystery, click here.

 

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.)
15.  3I – Atlas Observing Challenge (deadline for submission:  January 31, 2026.)
16.  M102: “Messier’s Unknown Journey” Observing Challenge (deadline for submission:  July 31, 2026.)

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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