NASA's Astrophoto Challenges

NASA's Astrophoto Challenges include two challenges: the MicroObservatory Challenge and the NASA Data Challenge. Enter either challenge – or both! – and the MicroObservatory and NASA's Universe of Learning team could select your work as a standout entry for feedback from NASA scientists!



MicroObservatory Challenge
Capture your own real-time telescope image of the Whirlpool Galaxy, and process it with MicroObservatory's JS9-4L tool.

Then consider how the image you processed compares to an image of the Whirlpool Galaxy processed by NASA.

NASA Data Challenge
Select any of NASA's images of the Whirlpool Galaxy (available here), and process them with MicroObservatory's JS9-4L tool.

Use all the techniques you've learned with MicroObservatory to process real NASA data and create your best image

Who can participate?
Anyone!

You just need an email address to receive any images you take with the MicroObservatory robotic telescopes.
If you are 12 or younger, you will need to have your parent/guardian do this activity with you.

What do I do?
Find detailed instructions to participate in either challenge on the MicroObservatory Challenge page and the NASA Data Challenge page.

Are you new to MicroObservatory? Check out all the tutorials available on the Tools & Training page.

How do I enter my images?
Submit your images here for either the MicroObservatory Challenge or the NASA Data Challenge.

What happens with my entry?
The MicroObservatory Team and NASA's Universe of Learning will review all of the submissions, and highlight entries that demonstrate compelling and creative image-processing techniques.

Standout entries will be recognized on the MicroObservatory Challenge page and the NASA Data Challenge page. Every standout entry will receive expert feedback from NASA scientists!

Link to contest site