Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Because Astro Program Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. While it's a drive from Mountain Home, Astro Program Hill 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. This is a high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Bear Creek Log Cabins will reveal the full depth of the target. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Mountain Home observers should aim for Bear Creek Log Cabins 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
Watch for the planet's moons; even small telescopes can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter today. Because Astro Program Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. While it's a drive from Mountain Home, Astro Program Hill 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. This is a high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Bear Creek Log Cabins will reveal the full depth of the target. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Mountain Home toward Bear Creek Log Cabins 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because Bear Creek Log Cabins offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. 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 Bear Creek Log Cabins will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Bear Creek Log Cabins will reveal the full depth of the target. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. A drive out of Mountain Home toward Bear Creek Log Cabins will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Bear Creek Log Cabins will reveal the full depth of the target. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Mountain Home observers should aim for Bear Creek Log Cabins to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids 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 Bear Creek Log Cabins are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Mountain Home observers should aim for Bear Creek Log Cabins to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late night Apr 21 through dawn Apr 22
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 3 skies at Bear Creek Log Cabins are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Bear Creek Log Cabins will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. The Class 3 skies at Bear Creek Log Cabins are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Bear Creek Log Cabins will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. The Class 3 skies at Bear Creek Log Cabins are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. A drive out of Mountain Home toward Bear Creek Log Cabins 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 3 skies at Bear Creek Log Cabins are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. A drive out of Mountain Home toward Bear Creek Log Cabins 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. The Class 3 skies at Astro Program Hill are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. While it's a drive from Mountain Home, Astro Program Hill 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Astro Program Hill will reveal the full depth of the target. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. The journey to Astro Program Hill from Mountain Home 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
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. Because Bear Creek Log Cabins offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Mountain Home observers should aim for Bear Creek Log Cabins to escape the most intense local glares.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Mountain Home residents, as the dark horizons at Bear Creek Log Cabins will reveal the full depth of the target. 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 Bear Creek Log Cabins will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Because Astro Program Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. While it's a drive from Mountain Home, Astro Program Hill 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. Because Bear Creek Log Cabins offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Mountain Home observers should aim for Bear Creek Log Cabins to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset