Winter 2024 - Crab Nebula

Use NASA data, or your own, to create amazing images

Are you unable to see the YouTube video above? Watch the video here instead.

What To Do

Follow the instructions below for each of the three steps. First you will gather your own real-time telescope image, then you'll create your own image using the JS9-4L image-processing tool, and finally you'll submit your processed image to NASA's Astrophoto Challenge.

Step 1: Get Your Image(s)

Get images for the Challenge either by using NASA data provided for you in the Challenge Tool or request your OWN images using the MicroObservatory Telescopes.

Option A: Get NASA images using the Challenge Edition of the JS9-4L image tool.

  • Open the Challenge Images dropdown in the JS9-4L navigation bar.
  • Choose from any of the professional astronomical images of in the Challenge Images list.
    • The image data was collected by different NASA missions and other professional telescopes, which represent different wavelengths of light.

-OR-


Option B: Use a real telescope to request your OWN images from MicroObservatory.

  • Find the Crab Nebula, and then click the Observe button below it, fill out the fields, and then submit your image request.
  • Your image will be captured tonight by a MicroObservatory telescope, and emailed to you tomorrow from microobservatorysupport@cfa.harvard.edu.
    • It takes a day to receive your image because the telescopes can only observe your image at night!
  • Download your image to your device. Then open it in the Challenge Edition of JS9-4L using the Image dropdown.
Continue to Step 2: Create
telescope

Video Tutorials

How to Request an Image

Find other useful tutorials on the Tools & Training page.

Step 2: Create Your Image

  • You should see your image of open in the JS9-4L image processor.
    • If you don't see your image inside the frame, go back to Step 1.
  • Use the tools included with the JS9-4L processor to enhance your image. Get creative!
    • If you aren't sure how to use the processing tools of JS9-4L, check out the video tutorials below.
  • When you're done, save your image to your device as either a JPEG or PNG file.
    • Be careful not to save as a FITS file. FITS format won't preserve all the processing that you've done.
Continue to Step 3: Submit
Real NASA data being processed in JS9-4L
A processed image of the Pillars of Creation

Step 3: Submit Your Image

  • In order to enter NASA's Astrophoto Challenge, you will need:
    1. • Your self-processed image of the
    2. • A written description of how you processed your image
  • Submit your processed images to NASA's Astrophoto Challenge.
    • The Google form requires a Google email account.
Screenshot of the NASA Astrophoto Challenge submition form
Submit your images to the Challenge here.
Google Form

Hear From Experts

Expert astronomers take a close look at to explore what this object is, where you can find it in the night sky, and what different wavelengths reveal. The two experts we meet in this video are Dr. Tea Temim, and Dr. Michela Negro.

Are you unable to see the YouTube video above? Watch the video here instead.

FAQ

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 above.

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

How do I submit my images? ▾

You will need a Google email to submit your images here to enter the NASA's Astrophoto 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 Standout Entires page. Every standout entry will receive expert feedback from NASA scientists!

When does the next season start?

The season starts on

The season ends on .

After the season ends, we will review all submissions to NASA's Astrophoto Challenges, and will post highlights to the Standout Entries page.

Follow our Twitter or Facebook pages to get updates whenever standout entries are posted.

What about past seasons?

You can still work with NASA data from past Challenges! Head to the Challenges Archive of JS9-4L, where you will find NASA image files among the Archived Images for all of the past seasons.

Want to see what others have done with image data? Check out highlighted entries from past Challenges on the Standout Entries page.