Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The regional Class 4 baseline at Plummer Peak is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Hood River, Plummer Peak 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. While Hood River has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. 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 Hood River, cruise ship 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'. The regional Class 4 baseline at Plummer Peak is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. While it's a drive from Hood River, Plummer Peak 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. For Hood River observers, this Conjunction will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. While it's a drive from Hood River, cruise ship offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Hood River observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at cruise ship, 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. The journey to cruise ship from Hood River is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
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. While Hood River has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Plummer Peak are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. 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 Hood River, Plummer Peak offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Hood River has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship 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 cruise ship from Hood River 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
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. For Hood River observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at cruise ship, 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. The journey to cruise ship from Hood River 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
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. While Hood River has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Plummer Peak are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. 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 Hood River, Plummer Peak offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The regional Class 4 baseline at cruise ship is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Nighttime inversions near the coast often trap steady air, making this a prime window for high-magnification moon study. While it's a drive from Hood River, cruise ship 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
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. For Hood River observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Plummer Peak, 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. While it's a drive from Hood River, Plummer Peak 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. For Hood River observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Plummer Peak, 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. While it's a drive from Hood River, Plummer Peak 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
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. For Hood River observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Burroughs Mountain, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Hood River; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. For Hood River observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The journey to cruise ship from Hood River 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The regional Class 4 baseline at Plummer Peak is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. 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 Hood River, Plummer Peak 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at cruise ship is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. While it's a drive from Hood River, cruise ship offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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! While Hood River has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Plummer Peak 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 Hood River, Plummer Peak offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 4 baseline at cruise ship is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. 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 Hood River; the dark horizons at cruise ship are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset