Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. For McMinnville observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Burroughs Mountain, 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 McMinnville; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. 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. For the best experience, McMinnville observers should aim for cruise ship 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. While McMinnville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Plummer Peak 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. While it's a drive from McMinnville, 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. For McMinnville observers, this Conjunction will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward cruise ship will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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 regional Class 4 baseline at Burroughs Mountain 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 McMinnville; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain 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. While McMinnville 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 McMinnville, 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
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. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. For the best experience, McMinnville observers should aim for cruise ship to escape the most intense local glares.
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. 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 McMinnville, Plummer Peak 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 regional Class 4 baseline at Burroughs Mountain 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 McMinnville; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
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. For McMinnville observers, this Conjunction will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Warm summer air is stable, but keep your gear shaded during the day to avoid thermal currents. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Burroughs Mountain is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from McMinnville; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain 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! For McMinnville observers, this Meteor Shower 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 McMinnville; the dark horizons at Burroughs Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
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. For McMinnville observers, this Eclipse 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 McMinnville, Plummer Peak 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. While McMinnville 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. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. For McMinnville observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship 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. While McMinnville 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. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at cruise ship 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. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. While McMinnville 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. A drive out of McMinnville toward cruise ship will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset