The Official Sky-Watcher Target of the Month Challenge
Official Rules:
- Target is announced at the beginning of each month LIVE on the Sky-Watcher What's Up? Webcast, website, social media, and e-newsletter
- Imaging only - Must provide an image by the end of the month
- Email image and details to totm@skywatcherusa.com
- Must provide your name, equipment, image specifications, image file, FITS file, and mailing address
- US and Canada only (please include phone # for Canada addresses)
- All valid submissions will receive an official, embroidered, adhesive TOTM patch and a possible inclusion in Sky-Watcher's social media, E-newsletters, and web site
- Each new year will feature a new patch design and/or color scheme
March 2023
Hubble's Variable Nebula
Image: The Hubble Space Telescope/NASA
Constellation: Monoceros
RA 6h 39m 10s
Dec +8° 45′
Distance 2,500 ly
Apparent magnitude (V) 9.0
Apparent dimensions (V) 2′
NGC 2261, Caldwell 46
February 2023
Abell 12
Image by Kevin LeGore
(Hidden) Planetary Nebula
Constellation: Orion
RA 06h 02m 21.4s
Dec +09° 39′ 07″
Apparent Magnitude: 14
Dec +09° 39′ 07″
Apparent Magnitude: 14
(Hint: Try an OIII or UHC filter)
January 2023
Arp 273 (The Rose)
Image by Kevin LeGore
Interacting Galaxies
Constellation: Andromeda
RA 02h 21m 28.703s
Dec +39° 22′ 32.65″
Apparent Magnitude: 13.7
Apparent diameter: ~ 2.6 arcminutes
December 2022 TOTM
The Witch Head Nebula / IC 2118
Image by Richard Wright
Reflection nebula
Constellation: Eridanus / Orion
RA 05h 02m 00.00s
Dec −07° 54′ 00″
Dec −07° 54′ 00″
Apparent Magnitude: 13
Apparent diameter: 3 x 1 deg
November 2022 TOTM
Simeis 147 / Sharpless 240 / The Spaghetti Nebula (link)
Image by Richard Wright
Supernova remnant
Constellation: Auriga / Taurus
RA: 05h 39m 06s
Dec: +27° 59′ 55″
Apparent Magnitude: 6.5
Apparent diameter: ~ 3 degrees
October 2022 TOTM
IC 63 Ghost of Cassiopeia (link)
Image by Kevin LeGore
Emission/Reflection nebula
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Designations: IC 63, Ghost of Cassiopeia
RA: 00h 59m 13s.2
Dec: +60° 55′ 48″
September 2022 TOTM
Wings of the Dumbbell Nebula (wiki)
Image by Kevin LeGore
Emission / Planetary nebula
Constellation: Vulpecula
Designations: NGC 6853, M27, Diabolo nebula, Dumb-Bell nebula
RA: 19h 59m 36.340s
Dec: +22° 43′ 16.09″
Apparent magnitude: 7.4
Apparent dimensions: 8.0′ × 5.6′
Apparent dimensions: 8.0′ × 5.6′
NOTE: This month's target is specifically the outer wing structure of the nebula and will require an OIII filter.
August 2022 TOTM
The Soap Bubble Nebula (wiki)
Image 1 by Kevin LeGore. Image 2 by Kitt Peak
Emission nebula / Planetary nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Designations: PN G75.5+1.7, PN Ju
RA: 20h 15m 22.2s
Dec: +38° 02′ 58″
260" in angular diameter