Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. 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 Vernal 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
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 Vernal 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 Vernal toward Group site at Split Mountain will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 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, Vernal 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
Moon & Mars Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. For Vernal observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Green River Campground, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. A drive out of Vernal toward Green River Campground 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Vernal 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. The Class 3 skies at Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. For the best experience, Vernal 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. 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
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 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. 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
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 Vernal 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Group site at Split Mountain 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. While Vernal has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Green River Campground are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. For the best experience, Vernal observers should aim for Green River Campground to escape the most intense local glares.
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. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. 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
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 Group site at Split Mountain are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. A drive out of Vernal toward Group site at Split Mountain 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. A drive out of Vernal toward Group site at Split Mountain will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. 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. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. For the best experience, Vernal 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because Group site at Split Mountain offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. For the best experience, Vernal observers should aim for Group site at Split Mountain 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. For Vernal observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Green River Campground, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. For the best experience, Vernal 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
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. 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 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Green River Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. 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, Vernal observers should aim for Green River Campground to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset