Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. For Richland observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Burch 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 Richland; the dark horizons at Burch 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. Even with the Class 6 glare near Helen McCabe State Park, 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. The journey to Helen McCabe State Park from Richland is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Moon Event is worth the effort.
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. While Richland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Burch Mountain 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 Burch Mountain from Richland 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
Moon & Mars Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. We recommend Richland residents head to Helen McCabe State Park 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. The journey to Helen McCabe State Park from Richland 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. For Richland observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Burch Mountain, 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. The journey to Burch Mountain from Richland 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. While Richland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Burch Mountain 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 Richland, Burch Mountain 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. We recommend Richland residents head to Helen McCabe State Park 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. The journey to Helen McCabe State Park from Richland 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! The regional Class 5 baseline at Burch 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 Richland; the dark horizons at Burch Mountain 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. While Richland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Burch Mountain 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Richland; the dark horizons at Burch 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Helen McCabe State Park, 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 Richland, Helen McCabe State Park 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. The regional Class 5 baseline at Burch 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 Richland; the dark horizons at Burch Mountain are a justified reward for this view.
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. For Richland observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Burch 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. The journey to Burch Mountain from Richland 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. For Richland observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Burch Mountain, 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. The journey to Burch Mountain from Richland is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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. While Richland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Burch Mountain 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 Richland, 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. While Richland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Burch Mountain 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. The journey to Burch Mountain from Richland is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
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 resilient event; while Helen McCabe State Park'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 Richland, Helen McCabe State Park offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 5 baseline at Burch Mountain 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. The journey to Burch Mountain from Richland is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Helen McCabe State Park, the brightest parts of this Moon Event 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 Richland; the dark horizons at Helen McCabe State Park are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset