Winter Deep Sky Challenge
T8 - The Cone Nebula or Christmas Tree Cluster
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The DwarfVision Winter Challenge:
The DwarfVision Winter Challenge:
Capture 30+ Deep Sky Wonders
Capture 30+ Deep Sky Wonders
A Season of DSO Discovery with the DWARF II, DWARF 3, & the new mini
A Season of DSO Discovery with the DWARF II, DWARF 3, & the new mini
As the nights grow longer and the winter constellations climb higher, it’s time to gear up for our biggest community event yet. Following the massive success of the Spring Galaxy and Milky Way challenges, we are officially launching the #DwarfVisionWinterChallenge
This isn’t just a quest to find "faint fuzzies"—it’s a showcase of what these incredible smart telescopes can really do when pushed to the limit.
The Challenge Goal
The Challenge Goal
The mission is simple but ambitious: Capture 30 official challenge DSOs (wildcards included) using your DWARF II, DWARF 3, or the new Dwarf mini.
Post your shots to a DwarfLabs Official Facebook Groups & tag #DwarfVisionWinterChallenge
A big thank-you once again, Dwarflab, for sponsoring our sensational prizes!
How to Enter
How to Enter
Just Start Shooting: Grab your D2, D3, or mini and head outside.
Pick one or more objects from our target list and start shooting!
Share the Magic: Post your raw & processed images in an official DwarfLab Facebook Group.
Tag to Win: You must use the hashtag #DwarfVisionWinterChallenge for your entry to be counted and tracked for the leaderboard.
A New Competitive Format: Quality & Speed
A New Competitive Format: Quality & Speed
This year, we are changing the game. While we still celebrate those who finish the list, new prizes will be awarded for the most sensational capture per DSO. It is no longer just a race to the finish line; also, the most stunning, well-processed image for each of the 30 targets will take home glory, too. To keep the momentum going all winter, we will be announcing winners for each DSO set approximately every 30 days.
Key Dates & Info
Key Dates & Info
Contest Duration: December 21st, 2025 – March 21st, 2026.
EARLY ACCESS: We are allowing back-dating for captures taken starting December 11th! If you have clear skies tonight, start shooting!
The Target Rollout: The 30 DSOs will be released in three manageable segments (Sets 1, 2, and 3) of 10 targets each.
Wildcards: For our observers in the "High North" or "Deep South" who might struggle with specific seasonal visibility, we have included 6 Wildcard Targets to ensure everyone can complete the 30-target goal.
The Target List
The Target List
The list features a curated mix of thirty+ Deep Sky Objects vetted by Duncan from DwarfVision (we shot them all, and share our tips & tricks for each). You’ll find a balance of:
The Showpieces: Celebrated "Classics" These are the high-signal, iconic objects perfect for all skill levels and all DWARF models. They provide an instant "WOW" factor and are the bedrock of any winter portfolio.
The Specters: Fainter, Elusive "Phantoms" These more challenging targets will test your calibration and post-processing prowess. They often require the Duo-Band filter to "summon" the delicate emission gases from the background noise.
The Echoes: Ancient, "Whisper-Thin" Signals The ultimate "Grinds." These targets require deep patience, dark skies, and long exposures with steady tracking. To capture these "Whispers," you must push your post-processing skills to the absolute limit to reveal detail buried deep within the data.
The Rewards: Three Months of Prizes (sponsored by DwarfLab)
The Rewards: Three Months of Prizes (sponsored by DwarfLab)
DwarfVision Deep Sky Challenge Rewards (Sets 1-3)
DwarfVision Deep Sky Challenge Rewards (Sets 1-3)
Each month presents a new opportunity to win, with the same exciting prizes available for every set:
Target Completion: Complete all 10 DSOs in the current set to earn a DwarfVision Merch Pack, featuring an exclusive cap and sticker.
Community Choice Award: The Facebook community will vote on their favorite submission from the set; the winner will be awarded a DWARFLAB Hoodie.
The Set Champion: Our judges will select three standout entries (post-processed images included) based on quality. The community then votes for the ultimate winner, who receives a $50 DWARFLAB Voucher.
Community Recognition: All winners and highlight shots will be featured in DwarfVision community posts and official newsletters across the Facebook groups.
The Grand Finale: Overall Best
The Grand Finale: Overall Best
At the end of the winter season, we are crowning the ultimate DWARF-wranglers:
The Winter Speedster: The first participant to successfully capture all 30 DSOs wins a DWARF Tripod + DwarfVision Hoodie.
The Master Processor: The single best post-processed shot of the entire 30+ target challenge wins a $100 DWARFLAB Voucher + DwarfVision Hoodie.
Community Recognition: All winners and highlight shots will be featured in DwarfVision community posts, official newsletters, and galleries across the Facebook groups.
The Official Rules
The Official Rules
The #DwarfVisionWinterChallenge is officially our biggest event yet. Here is everything you need to know to compete and win. To ensure every entry is valid for the leaderboard and prize consideration, please follow these steps:
Tag Your Gear: All entries must be captured with a DWARF II, DWARF 3, or Dwarf mini.
Please verify your session: You'll need to display the date and time in your captures.
Pro-Tip: Use the Stellar Studio watermark tag feature to easily tag this info directly on your images.
Hashtag it: Every single entry must be tagged with #DwarfVisionWinterChallenge.
Post to the Community: Share your shots in one of the official DwarfLab Facebook groups:
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