Last month, we discussed the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge and the September 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 October. Read on to find out more.

Explore the Night Sky Like Hubble!

You can help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope by taking on the Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge! With a telescope, clear skies, and some star charts, you can observe incredible celestial objects, like nebulae and galaxies, that Hubble has photographed from space. Each month in 2025, a new list of targets will be shared, encouraging stargazers worldwide to find and enjoy these cosmic wonders.

Earn Awards for Stargazing

The Astronomical League and NASA invite everyone, regardless of experience, to join this year-long challenge. Earn silver or gold awards by observing the monthly objects, sharing your discoveries with others through outreach, and comparing your observations to Hubble’s images. Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or part of a star party group, this program is a fantastic way to learn more about the universe while celebrating Hubble’s legacy. The silver award consists of a certificate for taking part in the monthly objectives, while the gold award for completing the objectives each month throughout 2025 consists of a certificate and a pin from the Astronomical League.

October 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.

• M2 (NGC 7089)
  

  

  Sometimes simply called Messier 2, is a globular cluster in the constellation Aquarius. It lies about 37,000 light-years away and contains several hundred thousand stars packed into a dense, bright sphere.

• M30 (NGC 7099)

  

  Another globular cluster, this one found in the constellation Capricornus. Roughly 27,000 light-years distant, it is noted for its compact form and strongly concentrated core of stars.

• C22, the Blue Snowball Nebula (NGC 7662)

  

  A planetary nebula in the constellation Andromeda. It earns its name from its vivid blue glow, appearing in telescopes like a glowing snowball formed from the outer layers shed by a dying star.

• C63, the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293)
  

  

  Located in the constellation Aquarius, the Helix Nebula is one of the closest and largest planetary nebulae. Sometimes nicknamed the “Eye of God,” it spans about 2.5 light-years across and shows a striking circular structure in photographs.

• C2, the Bow Tie Nebula (NGC 40)
  

  

  The Bow Tie Nebula lies in the constellation Cepheus. This planetary nebula is about 3,500 light-years away, with a central star among the hottest known, illuminating gas that gives it a bow-tie appearance.

• C43, the Little Sombrero Galaxy (NGC 7814)

  

  The Little Sombrero Galaxy is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pegasus. Seen edge-on, it resembles a smaller version of the famous Sombrero Galaxy, featuring a bright central bulge and a thin, dark dust lane.

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.