Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Even with the Class 6 glare near Burch Mountain, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Kennewick, Burch Mountain 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Moses Lake: General, the brightest parts of this Moon Event will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Moses Lake: General are a justified reward for this view.
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. We recommend Kennewick residents head to Burch Mountain and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. While it's a drive from Kennewick, Burch Mountain 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Burch Mountain, the brightest parts of this Conjunction will still be visible to the naked eye. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. The journey to Burch Mountain from Kennewick is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
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 Kennewick residents head to Moses Lake: General and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Moses Lake: General 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
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. Even with the Class 6 glare near Moses Lake: General, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to Moses Lake: General from Kennewick 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. We recommend Kennewick residents head to Moses Lake: General and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. While it's a drive from Kennewick, Moses Lake: General 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
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 Moses Lake: General, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Moses Lake: General are a justified reward for this view.
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! Even with the Class 6 glare near Moses Lake: General, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to Moses Lake: General from Kennewick 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Burch Mountain, the brightest parts of this Conjunction will still be visible to the naked eye. Warm summer air is stable, but keep your gear shaded during the day to avoid thermal currents. While it's a drive from Kennewick, Burch Mountain 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
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 Moses Lake: General, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kennewick; the dark horizons at Moses Lake: General are a justified reward for this view.
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 resilient event; while Moses Lake: General's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. While it's a drive from Kennewick, Moses Lake: General 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. Even with the Class 6 glare near Burch Mountain, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Kennewick, Burch Mountain 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
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 Burch Mountain's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. While it's a drive from Kennewick, Burch Mountain offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a resilient event; while Moses Lake: General's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Moses Lake: General are a justified reward for this view.
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 Kennewick residents head to Burch Mountain and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kennewick; the dark horizons at Burch Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Burch Mountain, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Burch Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
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. We recommend Kennewick residents head to Burch Mountain and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. 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 Kennewick; the dark horizons at Burch Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset