Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Because Little Rock 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Little Rock 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. The Class 3 skies at Rising Star Observing Area are a total game-changer for this Moon Event; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area 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
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 Abilene residents, as the dark horizons at Little Rock will reveal the full depth of the target. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Little Rock are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. Because Rising Star Observing Area offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. While it's a drive from Abilene, Rising Star Observing Area offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening 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 Rising Star Observing Area 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. The journey to Rising Star Observing Area from Abilene 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. Because Rising Star Observing Area 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. The journey to Rising Star Observing Area from Abilene is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Abilene residents, as the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area will reveal the full depth of the target. The wide-open Plains often deal with the jet stream, so look for nights with low surface winds for the steadiest planetary views. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids 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 Rising Star Observing Area 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. The journey to Rising Star Observing Area from Abilene 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! Because Rising Star Observing Area 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. The journey to Rising Star Observing Area from Abilene is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. The Class 3 skies at Rising Star Observing Area are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter 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 Rising Star Observing Area 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. The journey to Rising Star Observing Area from Abilene 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! Because LBJ Ranch Dales Trap 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. While it's a drive from Abilene, LBJ Ranch Dales Trap 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. The Class 3 skies at Little Rock are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Little Rock are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. Because Little Rock offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Little Rock are a justified reward for this view.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Abilene residents, as the dark horizons at Little Rock will reveal the full depth of the target. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Little Rock are a justified reward for this view.
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 Abilene residents, as the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area will reveal the full depth of the target. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area are a justified reward for this view.
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 LBJ Ranch Dales Trap 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. While it's a drive from Abilene, LBJ Ranch Dales Trap 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Abilene residents, as the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Abilene; the dark horizons at Rising Star Observing Area are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset