Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a resilient event; while Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Moon Event will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Fort Walton Beach observers should aim for Opal Beach to escape the most intense local glares.
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. This is a resilient event; while Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fort Walton Beach observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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. We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Opal Beach will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Opal Beach will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Opal Beach 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Opal Beach 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Fort Walton Beach observers should aim for Opal Beach 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Warm, moist air is actually heavier and less turbulent, providing a 'thick' but steady window for tonight's targets. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Opal Beach will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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! We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Opal Beach will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Late night Aug 11 through dawn Aug 12
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. Even with the Class 6 glare near Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. For the best experience, Fort Walton Beach observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, the brightest parts of this Planetary Opposition will still be visible to the naked eye. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Opal Beach 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. We recommend Fort Walton Beach residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. This is a resilient event; while Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Fort Walton Beach toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. Even with the Class 6 glare near Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, the brightest parts of this Moon Event will still be visible to the naked eye. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fort Walton Beach observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset