'A' List Challenge - Astrophotography Competition

The 'A' List

The ‘A’ List or ‘Art de Ciel’ List is the basis for the Challenge. 

It is a list for Astrophotographers, which will challenge the beginner and expert alike. 

It consists of 109 astronomical objects and caters not just for the Deep Space enthusiast but for those interested in imaging the Moon, Sun, Planets and Terrestrial objects.

The challenge is to image ALL 109 objects and make notes on how, where and when the object was photographed.

There is a time limit of one year for the Challenge.

It is a challenge that requires not only skill and knowledge, but will also test your patience and resourcefulness. It also has an element of luck which everyone needs at some point in their lives.

Anyone who manages to image every object in the list will have earned the right to be recognised as a truly great Astrophotographer. 

An Article giving full details of the ‘A’ List Challenge is available for download (see below).

The Objects

DSO Type
Constellation	5
Galaxy	21
Galaxy Cluster	4
Globular Cluster	3
Nebula	25
Open Cluster	9
Planetary Nebula	4
Star Field	3
Supernova	3
TOTAL	77

The 109 objects on the list comprise 77 DSOs (see table opposite for breakdown into types of objects), 9 Earth based phenomenon, 4 Historical subjects, 9 connected with the Moon, 7 Planetary objects and 3 related to the Sun.

In addition of the 109 objects 87 are only visible at night, 8 only during the day and 14 visible possibly both day and night. 

As to location 21 are classed as Northern Hemisphere only, 14 Southern hemisphere only and 74 visible in both. 

The objects are also classified by level of difficulty:  a doddle (1 point), easy (2 points), tricky (3 points), difficult (4 points), nasty (5 points) and impossible? (10 points). Any object which is visible in daylight and at night will gain the imager double points if he captures it during the day and at night.

In addition, of the 109 objects 43 are classified as either a ‘Doddle’ or ‘Easy’ and as such are suitable for beginners, a further 47 objects are considered tricky so are appropriate for those at an intermediary level of experience; whilst a final 19 objects are classed as Difficult, Nasty or Impossible? , challenges for the ‘experts’.

The maximum number of points possible in the challenge is 341 (including the bonus for imaging an object in daylight and at night).

IN ORDER TO HELP YOU OUT! EACH ENTRY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A "WILDCARD" IMAGE.

THIS IS AN IMAGE OF ANY ONE OF THE 109 CHALLENGE OBJECTS TAKEN BEFORE 1st APRIL 2010.

SO THINK CAREFULLY AS TO WHICH OBJECT IS GOING TO CAUSE YOU THE GREATEST CHALLENGE AND CAPTURE IT BEFORE THE START DATE!

The Rules

The Rules are simple, and are as follows (a detailed set of rules will be available for download shortly):
                    
Individuals and Teams are allowed to compete, with a maximum of 3 people on a team;

Only images taken after the challenge start date of 1st April 2011 are eligible, with the exception of the 'wildcard image';

In order to complete the Challenge the imager or team must SUBMIT images of ALL 109 objects to the ArtdeCiel.com website, together with information on how, when, where and by whom it was taken.

All images must be taken after the Challenge Start Date of 1st April 2011 and before the end date of March 31st 2012.

If no individual or team manages to image ALL 109 objects by the 31st March 2012, then the challenge winner will be the individual or team which has gained the most points (as defined in the ‘A’ List Schedule, which is available by download)

In the event of a tie, a 110th object will be given by way of a ‘tie-breaker’ to those individuals or team who have equal number of points or who submitted images of all 109 objects by the same date.

In this eventuality the winner will be the first to submit their image of the ‘tie’ break target.

In addition to the overall winner, there will be a number of other categories such as 'best challenge image'.

The competition will be sponsored by a number of manufacturers and suppliers of astronomical equipment, who will donate the competition prizes.

The competition sponsors, prizes, judges and detailed challenge rules will be announced in early 2011.

Downloads

'A' List Article

'A' List Schedule

Competition Rules to be Announced

How to Enter

Register Here!

In order to enter the 'A' List Challenge you must first register as a member of ArtdeCiel.com.
 
After logging on, just follow the link in the members area - "Join the 'A' List Challenge". 

All you then have to do is complete the electronic entry form.

Once Registered you will be automatically kept informed of everything to do with the competition by means of the 'A' List Challenge Newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE: The challenge will only take place if a MINIMUM of 100 individual imagers or teams register for the competition before the closing date for entries.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: 1st March 2011.

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