Join the Cosmic Adventure: Hubble Night Sky Observation Challenge at Nurture Nature Center!

EASTON, Pa. — Attention all astronomy lovers.

The Nurture Nature Center in Easton is searching for anyone interested in stargazing, kicking off with this weekend’s inaugural Hubble Night Sky Observing Challenge.

Every month in 2025, the Nurture Nature Center will conduct the challenge, inviting visitors to gaze at the night sky with the help of star charts and the expertise of the center’s personnel.

Throughout the calendar year, participants will have the opportunity to view the magnificent nebulae and galaxies that Hubble has documented over its 3 1/2 decades of service.

In addition to the educational experience, participants will also earn recognition for attending the event.

“It’s open to all ages and levels of experience,” stated Nurture Nature Center Science Director Kathryn Semmens. “You don’t need extensive experience observing the night sky; we are here to assist you.

“Our aim is to engage as many individuals as we can to participate and start looking at the sky, even if they haven’t previously.”

Semmens expressed her hope that the occasion will attract “a diverse crowd, maybe even some seasoned pros, but we hope to draw in newcomers who may not have tried it before.”

The event is set to take place from 4 to 5 p.m. today, Jan. 4, at the Nurture Nature Center, located at 518 Northampton St., Easton, and will recur at the same time on the first Saturday of every month.

Individuals interested in attending can register for the event online.

Selecting targets

The event stems from Hubble collaborating with The Astronomical League, providing two tiers of challenges.

There is no requirement to be a member of the league to participate, however, joining offers advantages for both emerging and experienced stargazers.

NASA indicates that several brighter objects will be visible through binoculars and smaller telescopes, but suggests using a telescope with a minimum diameter of 6 inches for the optimal experience.

Participants are also reminded that their personal experiences observing the stars will differ somewhat from Hubble’s images due to the distortion caused by the earth’s atmosphere.

Each month in the program will include two lists — for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres — with targets listed according to their catalog.

Target groups that begin with an “M” belong to the Messier catalog, while those starting with “C” are part of the Caldwell catalog.

Once a visitor lands on the page, they can easily locate any object they want to find, which will navigate them to a page that offers detailed information about that target, including a chart to help locate it in the night sky.

For January, targets will encompass the Orion Nebula, the Crab Nebula, DeMairan’s Nebula, M78, M79, and C46: Hubble’s Variable Nebula in the Northern Hemisphere.

Hubble’s History

“We’re extremely enthusiastic,” Semmens remarked. “If attendees aren’t able to come this Saturday, we’ll host programs on the first Saturday of each month, so they can participate when it suits them.

“Additionally, we will also offer a virtual option, so if someone is unable to attend, we will have a recording and materials to send to them so they can still access the information, even if they can’t come in person.”

Named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, the telescope was financed and constructed in the 1970s, and was finally launched on April 24, 1990. It officially began its operation on May 20, 1990.

Over its lifespan, the Hubble, which is the only telescope built to be serviced in space by astronauts, has undergone five space shuttle missions that resulted in upgrades, repairs, and replacements.

The telescope’s 7-foot, 10-inch mirror and five primary instruments allow it to observe ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

It has taken innumerable photographs throughout its existence.

Officials anticipate Hubble will remain operational until 2030 or 2040.