Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Casper residents, as the dark horizons at Water Storage 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. The journey to Water Storage from Casper is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. Because Water Storage 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 Casper, Water Storage offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. The Class 3 skies at Water Storage are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. The journey to Water Storage from Casper is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Opposition is worth the effort.
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. For Casper observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hospital Hill, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. While it's a drive from Casper, Hospital Hill offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The Class 3 skies at Water Storage are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; 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 Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Water Storage offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. The journey to Water Storage from Casper 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a high-magnitude event for Casper residents, as the dark horizons at Water Storage will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. The Class 3 skies at Water Storage are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Water Storage offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. While Casper has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Hospital Hill are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. While it's a drive from Casper, Hospital Hill 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. This is a high-magnitude event for Casper residents, as the dark horizons at Water Storage 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. The journey to Water Storage from Casper 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. Because Water Storage 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 Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Water Storage 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Water Storage offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. While it's a drive from Casper, Water Storage offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Casper residents, as the dark horizons at Water Storage 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 Casper; the dark horizons at Water Storage are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Casper has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Hospital Hill are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. While it's a drive from Casper, Hospital Hill offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Casper residents, as the dark horizons at Water Storage 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. The journey to Water Storage from Casper is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Hospital Hill is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Casper; the dark horizons at Hospital Hill are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset