Our annual Observational Challenge is back!
During the months of December 2024 and January 2025, we invite you to discover the sky. There are so many beautiful things to see when you take the time to look up! With this challenge, you will have the chance to observe the Moon in several of its phases, the planets Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars as well as identify several stars and constellations!
Here you will find information on the different observations to be made and the best times to do them.
SPECIAL INVITATION TO TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS!
Register for our challenge to receive additional educational material that will allow you to complete this Challenge with your students and learn more about the celestial objects and phenomena. You will also be introduced to exoplanets! This activity is presented in collaboration with the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets in Montreal!
You can download the Challenge Sheet to note your observations. If you're lucky with the weather and manage to fill it, you can use another one or any simple observational journal.
Click the image above to download the Challenge Sheet (PDF).
The Proposed Observations
NOTE: These observations are visible throughout southern Canada and at similar latitudes (such as Europe). Some of them could be a challenge under more northern latitudes. Contact us if you have any questions!
Care to see the Moon? Check out 1, 3, 5, 6, and 9.
Or perhaps a planet? Check out 6, 8, 9 and 10.
Maybe a constellation? Check out 2 and 4.
How about individual stars? Check out 2.
Or maybe a beautiful feature of the Moon or Sun? Check out 1 and 7.
Click on the arrow of each item to see the image and the description!
1 - Waxing Crescent Moon and Earthshine 🌒
2 - The Summer Triangle: the stars Deneb, Vega, and Altair
3 - First Quarter Moon 🌓
4 - The constellations Cassiopeia and Ursa Major
5 - Last Quarter Moon 🌗
6 - Saturn, Venus, and a sliver of the Moon 🌒
7 - A sunset
8 - Planetary Alignment 🪐
9 - Full Moon 🌕
10 - Mars and Jupiter