AL/NASA 35 Years of Hubble December Challenge

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Last month, we discussed the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge and the November 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 December. 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.

December 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.

  • M45 (NGC 1432/NGC 1435) / The Pleiades

    By NASA, ESA, AURA/Caltech, Palomar ObservatoryThe science team consists of: D. Soderblom and E. Nelan (STScI), F. Benedict and B. Arthur (U. Texas), and B. Jones (Lick Obs.)
    By NASA, ESA, AURA/Caltech, Palomar ObservatoryThe science team consists of: D. Soderblom and E. Nelan (STScI), F. Benedict and B. Arthur (U. Texas), and B. Jones (Lick Obs.)

    The Pleiades is an open star cluster containing hundreds of young, hot blue stars, with the brightest forming the famous “Seven Sisters.” Surrounded by faint reflection nebulosity, it’s one of the most prominent naked-eye objects in the night sky. You’ll find it in the constellation Taurus.

  • M77 (NGC 1068) / The Cetus A Galaxy

    ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. C. Ho, D. Thilker
    ESA/Hubble & NASA, L. C. Ho, D. Thilker

    M77 is a barred spiral galaxy and one of the brightest active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the sky, powered by a supermassive black hole at its center. It appears as a bright core with a faint halo in small telescopes. It resides in the constellation Cetus.

  • Caldwell 5 (NGC 253) / The Sculptor Galaxy

    NASA, ESA, and P. Kaaret (University of Iowa); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
    NASA, ESA, and P. Kaaret (University of Iowa); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)

    NGC 253 is a massive, bright spiral galaxy often called the “Silver Coin” or “Silver Dollar” Galaxy—one of the best galaxies visible to amateur telescopes. Rich with star-forming regions and dust lanes, it dominates the constellation Sculptor.

  • Caldwell 24 (NGC 1275)

    NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: A. Fabian (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, UK)
    NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: A. Fabian (Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, UK)

    NGC 1275 is a peculiar galaxy at the heart of the Perseus Cluster, known for its energetic jets and complex filaments of gas. It’s a standout example of an active galaxy interacting with its surrounding cluster environment. It lies in Perseus.

  • Caldwell 67 (NGC 1097)

    ESA/Hubble & NASA; Acknowledgment: E. Sturdivant
    ESA/Hubble & NASA; Acknowledgment: E. Sturdivant


    NGC 1097 is a bright barred spiral galaxy featuring strong dust lanes and a striking central ring of star formation surrounding its active nucleus. In larger telescopes, its sweeping spiral arms become more apparent. It is located in the constellation Fornax.

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.