Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook 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. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. For Colby observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Atop Restroom, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Pack some snacks for the drive from Colby; the dark horizons at Atop Restroom are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter 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 Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Opposition is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Because Monument Overlook 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. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Pack some snacks for the drive from Colby; the dark horizons at Monument Overlook are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Monument Overlook 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. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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. While Colby has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Atop Restroom are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. A high-pressure cell over the Great Plains can provide a rare, steady window for high-magnification observation. The journey to Atop Restroom from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
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 Monument Overlook 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. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Late night Apr 21 through dawn Apr 22
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The Class 3 skies at Monument Overlook are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. The Class 3 skies at Monument Overlook are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. Because Monument Overlook 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. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Late night Aug 11 through dawn Aug 12
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Partial Lunar Eclipse
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook 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. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. The Class 3 skies at Monument Overlook are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. The Class 3 skies at Monument Overlook are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook 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. The journey to Monument Overlook from Colby is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Late night Dec 13 through dawn Dec 14
Recommended Gaze
East to overhead
December Supermoon
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. This is a high-magnitude event for Colby residents, as the dark horizons at Monument Overlook 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. While it's a drive from Colby, Monument Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset