Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. For Bonita observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Palomar Observatory, 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. A drive out of Bonita toward Palomar Observatory 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Palomar Observatory are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. A drive out of Bonita toward Palomar Observatory 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. For Bonita observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at Palomar Observatory, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. For the best experience, Bonita observers should aim for Palomar Observatory to escape the most intense local glares.
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 5 baseline at Palomar Observatory is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. For the best experience, Bonita observers should aim for Palomar Observatory 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. For Bonita observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Top of the World Elementary School, 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. The journey to Top of the World Elementary School from Bonita 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
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. The regional Class 5 baseline at Top of the World Elementary School 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. While it's a drive from Bonita, Top of the World Elementary School 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Palomar Observatory 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Palomar Observatory will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Top of the World Elementary School are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. While it's a drive from Bonita, Top of the World Elementary School offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Top of the World Elementary School 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Bonita; the dark horizons at Top of the World Elementary School 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The regional Class 5 baseline at Top of the World Elementary School is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Nighttime inversions near the coast often trap steady air, making this a prime window for high-magnification moon study. While it's a drive from Bonita, Top of the World Elementary School 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. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Top of the World Elementary School are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. 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 Bonita, Top of the World Elementary School offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Bonita observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Top of the World Elementary School, 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 Top of the World Elementary School from Bonita 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
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. For Bonita observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Palomar Observatory, 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 Bonita toward Palomar Observatory 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
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Palomar Observatory are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. A drive out of Bonita toward Palomar Observatory will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 regional Class 5 baseline at Top of the World Elementary School 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 Top of the World Elementary School from Bonita 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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Top of the World Elementary School is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The journey to Top of the World Elementary School from Bonita 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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Palomar Observatory 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. For the best experience, Bonita observers should aim for Palomar Observatory to escape the most intense local glares.
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. While Bonita has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Palomar Observatory 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. A drive out of Bonita toward Palomar Observatory 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