Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a resilient event; while Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture'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 short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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 short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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. This is a resilient event; while Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture'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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Langdon Flats, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Brent residents have a major advantage with Langdon Flats so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. This is a resilient event; while Langdon Flats'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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Langdon Flats so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Langdon Flats 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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Langdon Flats so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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! We recommend Brent residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture 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 short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 resilient event; while Langdon Flats'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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Langdon Flats so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Fort Pickens, the brightest parts of this Conjunction will still be visible to the naked eye. Warm, moist air is actually heavier and less turbulent, providing a 'thick' but steady window for tonight's targets. Since Fort Pickens is just a quick dash from Brent, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Fort Pickens and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. Since Fort Pickens is just a quick dash from Brent, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. The short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
Late night Aug 11 through dawn Aug 12
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. We recommend Brent residents head to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture and look toward the darkest part of the horizon to maximize visibility. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. The short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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. We recommend Brent residents head to Fort Pickens 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. Since Fort Pickens is just a quick dash from Brent, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Langdon Flats, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Brent residents have a major advantage with Langdon Flats so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Fort Pickens, the brightest parts of this Conjunction 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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Fort Pickens so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, 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. The short hop from Brent to Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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. This is a resilient event; while Fort Pickens'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. Brent residents have a major advantage with Fort Pickens so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset