Cloudy Nights'
Monthly Challenge Objects - 2026
Observing guides for Cloudy Nights' Monthly Challenge Objects in the year 2026; no Challenge Objects were posted in May.
Use the buttons to download the objects of the month in the image orientation of your choice, click the object's name to visit the corresponding page on the Cloudy Nights forum. Please read Downloading CSOG and iPad Astronomy.
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January - February - March - April - May - June - July
Registration is not required to download the current Objects of the Month
Cloudy Nights' Monthly Challenge Objects
An index file, AstroPlanner planfile and Tour files by constellation and object category for all Cloudy Nights' Monthly Challenge Objects posted since November 2023.
These downloads will be updated monthly.
Updated: 12 July 2026
Index files: 1
AstroPlanner planfiles: 1
Autostar Tours / NexTours / EQTours: 66
Argo Navis User Catalogs: 67
Observing guides for the current year can be downloaded below.
Observing guides for preceding years can be downloaded on the respective pages:
July
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Globular cluster NGC6535 in Serpens (Cauda)
This object is included in CSOG's:
8-10" & 12-14" Constellation editions
Gaze-Shajn Nebulae edition
Melotte Star Clusters edition
Burnham's Celestial Handbook - DSO's edition
Reflection nebula Dorschner-Gürtler 152 in Serpens (Cauda)
This object is included in CSOG's:
12-14" Constellation edition
Dorschner-Gürtler Nebulae edition
Van den Bergh Reflection Nebulae edition
Rojkovskij-Kurchakov Nebulae edition
Bernes Bright Nebulae edition
Reflection nebula Bernes 12 - the "Serpens Reflection Nebula" in Serpens (Cauda)
This object is included in CSOG's:
12-14" Constellation edition
Bernes Bright Nebulae edition
Named Objects edition
Golden State Star Party - 2025 Observing Program
June
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Unmirrored
MH
MV
MHV
Galaxy NGC6086 in Corona Borealis
Galaxy MCG+06-35-003 in Corona Borealis
Galaxy group Hickson 82 in Hercules
April
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Unmirrored
MH
MV
MHV
Galaxy NGC4395 in Canes Venatici
Galaxy Van den Bergh Dwarf Galaxy 133 in Canes Venatici
March
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Unmirrored
MH
MV
MHV
Planetary nebula IRAS 09371+1212 - the "Frosty Leo Nebula" in Leo
Galaxy group WBL 210 in Cancer
Galaxy group Vorontsov-Vel'yaminov 707 in Cancer
February
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Unmirrored
MH
MV
MHV
Planetary nebula NGC2440 - the "Bat Nebula" in Puppis
Galaxy group IC2375, IC2377 & IC2379 in Puppis
Planetary nebula Longmore-Tritton 1 in Lepus
January
Click here to review the CSOG image orientations
Unmirrored
MH
MV
MHV
Planetary nebula NGC1514 - the "Crystal Ball Nebula" in Taurus
Planetary nebula Kohoutek 2-2 in Monoceros
Planetary nebula Stephenson 3-1 in Monoceros
