Quadrantids 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. A drive out of Craig 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter at Opposition
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. For the best experience, Craig observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. While it's a drive from Craig, Piceance Basin Rd 76 offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. For the best experience, Craig 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. For the best experience, Craig 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. This is a high-magnitude event for Craig residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. 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
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. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. A drive out of Craig toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Late night Apr 21 through dawn Apr 22
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. For the best experience, Craig 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. For Craig observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Piceance Basin Rd 76, 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 Craig; the dark horizons at Piceance Basin Rd 76 are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. This is a high-magnitude event for Craig 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, Craig observers should aim for Magnolia North to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
20–45 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Perseids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! 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. For the best experience, Craig 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. 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, Craig 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
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. This is a high-magnitude event for Craig residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. The transition to cooler weather often brings stable air masses that are perfect for high-resolution imaging. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. This is a high-magnitude event for Craig 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Magnolia North will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. For Craig observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Piceance Basin Rd 76, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The transition to cooler weather often brings stable air masses that are perfect for high-resolution imaging. The journey to Piceance Basin Rd 76 from Craig 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
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. A drive out of Craig toward Magnolia North will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Late night Dec 13 through dawn Dec 14
Recommended Gaze
East to overhead
December Supermoon
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. The journey to Piceance Basin Rd 76 from Craig is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Moon Event is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset