Quadrantids 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 Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. While it's a drive from Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. We recommend Smiths Station residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. Pack some snacks for the drive from Smiths Station; the dark horizons at Opal Beach 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Planetary Opposition will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. While it's a drive from Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Conjunction will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Pack some snacks for the drive from Smiths Station; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
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. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station 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
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 Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. 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 Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. We recommend Smiths Station residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Smiths Station, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Conjunction will still be visible to the naked eye. Gulf humidity acts as a stabilizing agent for the atmosphere, which is counter-intuitive but excellent for planetary detail. While it's a drive from Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
20–45 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Perseids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. 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 Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Pack some snacks for the drive from Smiths Station; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. We recommend Smiths Station residents head to Opal Beach and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. The journey to Opal Beach from Smiths Station is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids 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 Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. While it's a drive from Smiths Station, Opal Beach 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. While it's a drive from Smiths Station, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset