Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. This is a high-magnitude event for Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground will reveal the full depth of the target. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. While it's a drive from Heber, Cottonwood Campground offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. While Heber has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Old Borrego Valley Road are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Heber, Old Borrego Valley Road 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
Watch for the planet's moons; even small telescopes can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter today. Because Cottonwood Campground offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. While it's a drive from Heber, Cottonwood Campground 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a high-magnitude event for Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground will reveal the full depth of the target. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Pack some snacks for the drive from Heber; the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground are a justified reward for this view.
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 Wilcox Community Center are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Pack some snacks for the drive from Heber; the dark horizons at Wilcox Community Center 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. Because Wilcox Community Center offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to Wilcox Community Center from Heber 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. While Heber has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Old Borrego Valley Road are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The journey to Old Borrego Valley Road from Heber 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. This is a high-magnitude event for Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Wilcox Community Center will reveal the full depth of the target. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Heber, Wilcox Community Center 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! The Class 3 skies at Wilcox Community Center are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to Wilcox Community Center from Heber 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. Because Cottonwood Campground offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Warm summer air is stable, but keep your gear shaded during the day to avoid thermal currents. Pack some snacks for the drive from Heber; the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground 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 Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Wilcox Community Center 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 Wilcox Community Center from Heber 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
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 Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Wilcox Community Center 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 Wilcox Community Center from Heber 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
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. This is a high-magnitude event for Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground 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. While it's a drive from Heber, Cottonwood Campground 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
Watch for the planet's moons; even small telescopes can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter today. The Class 3 skies at Cottonwood Campground are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. The journey to Cottonwood Campground from Heber 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
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 Heber residents, as the dark horizons at Wilcox Community Center will reveal the full depth of the target. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Heber, Wilcox Community Center 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. While Heber has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Old Borrego Valley Road are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. The journey to Old Borrego Valley Road from Heber 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The Class 3 skies at Cottonwood Campground are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. Pack some snacks for the drive from Heber; the dark horizons at Cottonwood Campground are a justified reward for this view.
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. For Heber observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Old Borrego Valley Road, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. Pack some snacks for the drive from Heber; the dark horizons at Old Borrego Valley Road are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset