Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Battlement Mesa toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Jan 3–4, roughly 2:00–6:00 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
North to northeast sky, away from city lights
Wolf Moon Supermoon
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. A drive out of Battlement Mesa toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter at Opposition
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. A drive out of Battlement Mesa toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Piceance Basin Rd 76 to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late night Mar 2 into early morning Mar 3 (best in western U.S.)
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Moon, Venus & Pleiades Grouping
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a high-magnitude event for Battlement Mesa residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Late night Apr 21 through dawn Apr 22
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a high-magnitude event for Battlement Mesa residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Piceance Basin Rd 76 will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
20–45 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Perseids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late night Aug 11 through dawn Aug 12
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Partial Lunar Eclipse
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. This is a high-magnitude event for Battlement Mesa residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. This is a high-magnitude event for Battlement Mesa residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. A drive out of Battlement Mesa toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. A drive out of Battlement Mesa toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. For Battlement Mesa observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Piceance Basin Rd 76, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. For the best experience, Battlement Mesa observers should aim for Piceance Basin Rd 76 to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Late night Dec 13 through dawn Dec 14
Recommended Gaze
East to overhead
December Supermoon
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Piceance Basin Rd 76 will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset