Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Moon Event 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 journey to Opal Beach from Clanton is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Moon Event is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter at Opposition
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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 journey to Opal Beach from Clanton 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach'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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
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. We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach 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. We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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 journey to Opal Beach from Clanton 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach'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. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach'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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach's skyglow is present, the target's magnitude will cut through the light. Gulf humidity acts as a stabilizing agent for the atmosphere, which is counter-intuitive but excellent for planetary detail. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach 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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment will still be visible to the naked eye. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Meteor Shower will still be visible to the naked eye. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
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. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Eclipse will still be visible to the naked eye. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
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'. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach'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. The journey to Opal Beach from Clanton 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
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. Even with the Class 6 glare near Opal Beach, the brightest parts of this Planetary Alignment 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. This is a resilient event; while Opal Beach'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. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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. While it's a drive from Clanton, Opal Beach 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. We recommend Clanton residents head to Opal Beach 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Clanton; the dark horizons at Opal Beach are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset