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 Duluth residents, as the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty will reveal the full depth of the target. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. Pack some snacks for the drive from Duluth; the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a justified reward for this view.
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 Little Sand Bay West Jetty offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. While it's a drive from Duluth, Little Sand Bay West Jetty offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Duluth residents, as the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty will reveal the full depth of the target. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. While it's a drive from Duluth, Little Sand Bay West Jetty offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Duluth observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hawk Ridge, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. Since Hawk Ridge is just a quick dash from Duluth, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. The Class 1 skies at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. Pack some snacks for the drive from Duluth; the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. This is a high-magnitude event for Duluth residents, as the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty will reveal the full depth of the target. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Little Sand Bay West Jetty from Duluth 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. This is a high-magnitude event for Duluth residents, as the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty will reveal the full depth of the target. High-pressure winter systems often bring the steadiest air for capturing planetary cloud belts. While it's a drive from Duluth, Little Sand Bay West Jetty offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a high-magnitude event for Duluth residents, as the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty will reveal the full depth of the target. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Little Sand Bay West Jetty from Duluth is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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 1 skies at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Little Sand Bay West Jetty from Duluth 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. For Duluth observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hawk Ridge, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Midwest summer humidity can trap urban light; head to a rural clearing to get above the local ground-haze. Since Hawk Ridge is just a quick dash from Duluth, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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 Little Sand Bay West Jetty offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Late summer nights after a thunderstorm offer the best transparency as the rain washes the atmosphere. The journey to Little Sand Bay West Jetty from Duluth is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
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 Little Sand Bay West Jetty offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Late summer nights after a thunderstorm offer the best transparency as the rain washes the atmosphere. While it's a drive from Duluth, Little Sand Bay West Jetty offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. The Class 1 skies at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Midwest summer humidity can trap urban light; head to a rural clearing to get above the local ground-haze. The journey to Little Sand Bay West Jetty from Duluth is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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. Because Little Sand Bay West Jetty offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. Pack some snacks for the drive from Duluth; the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a justified reward for this view.
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 Little Sand Bay West Jetty offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. While it's a drive from Duluth, Little Sand Bay West Jetty offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Duluth observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hawk Ridge, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. Duluth residents have a major advantage with Hawk Ridge so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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! The Class 1 skies at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. Pack some snacks for the drive from Duluth; the dark horizons at Little Sand Bay West Jetty are a justified reward for this view.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Hawk Ridge is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. The short hop from Duluth to Hawk Ridge means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset