Last month, we discussed the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge and the February targets announced by the Astronomical League and NASA to celebrate 35 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope. These organizations have announced a new set of targets for the month of March. Read on to find out more.
Discover the Universe Like Hubble!
Join the celebration of the Hubble Space Telescope’s 35th anniversary by participating in the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge! Equipped with a telescope, clear skies, and star charts, you can explore breathtaking nebulae and galaxies that Hubble has captured from space. A fresh list of targets is released every month in 2025, inviting stargazers from around the globe to seek out these incredible sights.
Get Involved and Be Recognized
Stargazers of all experience levels are encouraged to join this exciting year-long challenge. By observing the monthly targets, sharing your experiences through outreach, and comparing your own views to Hubble’s breathtaking images, you can earn silver or gold awards. Whether you’re exploring the night sky on your own or with a group, this challenge is a great way to deepen your astronomical knowledge while celebrating Hubble’s incredible contributions to science.
March Targets
For your convenience, you can download this target list in either a CSV format (with names, constellation, coordinates, etc.) or in a SkySafari skylist format, that you can import directly into the app, by simply downloading it to your device and opening it.
- M44 (NGC 2632) – The Beehive Cluster: One of the brightest open clusters in Cancer, easily visible in binoculars and resembling a swarm of stars.
M44 – Photo by DAS Member and Past President, Douglas Triggs - M48 (NGC 2548): A scattered yet beautiful open cluster in Hydra, offering a rich starfield to explore.
M48 – Photo by Jim Mazur – http://www.skyledge.net/Messier48.htm – licensed under Creative Commons - M67 (NGC 2682): An ancient open cluster in Cancer, home to some of the oldest known stars in our galaxy.
M67 – Photo by Jim Mazur – http://www.skyledge.net/Messier67.htm – licensed under Creative Commons - Caldwell 48 (NGC 2775): A striking spiral galaxy in Cancer, showcasing delicate, tightly wound spiral arms.
C48 – ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-HST Team; Acknowledgment: Judy Schmidt (Geckzilla)
Tips for Success
For the best experience, use a telescope with at least six inches of aperture and find a dark sky far from city lights. Explore the objects from the Messier and Caldwell catalogs listed above. Once observed, you can share your sketches or photos as part of the challenge. Though your view won’t match Hubble’s space-based clarity, it’s still thrilling to see these distant wonders for yourself.
More Information
For more information about the Hubble Space Telescope 35th Anniversary Observing Challenge, check out the webpages at the Astronomical League and NASA. You can also reach out to the NASA Observing Challenges and Special Awards Coordinator or the DAS Astronomical League Coordinator if you have further questions.
