TOTM

The Official Sky-Watcher Target of the Month Challenge

Official Rules:

  1. Target is announced at the beginning of each month LIVE on the Sky-Watcher What's Up? Webcast, website, social media, and e-newsletter
  2. Imaging only - Must provide an image by the end of the month
  3. Email image and details to totm@skywatcherusa.com
  4. Must provide your name, equipment, image specifications, image file, FITS file, and mailing address
  5. US and Canada only (please include phone # for Canada addresses)
  6. 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
  7. 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
(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″
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′

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