Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. This is a high-magnitude event for Roosevelt residents, as the dark horizons at Group site at Split Mountain will reveal the full depth of the target. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Roosevelt toward Group site at Split Mountain will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain 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
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Green River Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Green River Campground to escape the most intense local glares.
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. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. A drive out of Roosevelt toward Group site at Split Mountain will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. This is a high-magnitude event for Roosevelt residents, as the dark horizons at Group site at Split Mountain will reveal the full depth of the target. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain to escape the most intense local glares.
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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain to escape the most intense local glares.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Roosevelt residents, as the dark horizons at Group site at Split Mountain will reveal the full depth of the target. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain to escape the most intense local glares.
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. While Roosevelt has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Green River Campground are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Green River Campground will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. This is a high-magnitude event for Roosevelt residents, as the dark horizons at Group site at Split Mountain will reveal the full depth of the target. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. A drive out of Roosevelt toward Group site at Split Mountain 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain to escape the most intense local glares.
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. The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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'. The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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 Green River Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. For the best experience, Roosevelt observers should aim for Green River Campground to escape the most intense local glares.
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! The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Roosevelt toward Group site at Split Mountain 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. For Roosevelt observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Green River Campground, 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. A drive out of Roosevelt toward Green River Campground 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