Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Cades Cove 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 Danville, Cades Cove 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. For Danville observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Houchin's Field, 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Danville; the dark horizons at Houchin's Field 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. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Cades Cove are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. While it's a drive from Danville, Cades Cove offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Cades Cove are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. The journey to Cades Cove from Danville is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
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. For Danville observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Houchin's Field, 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. While it's a drive from Danville, Houchin's Field offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Danville observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Houchin's Field, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Spring rains clean the mountain air; wait for the first clear night after a front for maximum transparency. Pack some snacks for the drive from Danville; the dark horizons at Houchin's Field are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Houchin's Field are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Spring rains clean the mountain air; wait for the first clear night after a front for maximum transparency. Pack some snacks for the drive from Danville; the dark horizons at Houchin's Field are a justified reward for this view.
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! For Danville observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Houchin's Field, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Spring rains clean the mountain air; wait for the first clear night after a front for maximum transparency. While it's a drive from Danville, Houchin's Field 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The regional Class 4 baseline at Houchin's Field is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Spring rains clean the mountain air; wait for the first clear night after a front for maximum transparency. Pack some snacks for the drive from Danville; the dark horizons at Houchin's Field 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. For Danville observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Cades Cove, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. While it's a drive from Danville, Cades Cove 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. The regional Class 4 baseline at Houchin's Field 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 Danville; the dark horizons at Houchin's Field are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Houchin's Field 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. The journey to Houchin's Field from Danville 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. For Danville observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Cades Cove, 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Danville; the dark horizons at Cades Cove 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Cades Cove is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Stable autumn high-pressure systems over the mountains offer surprisingly good 'seeing' for planetary targets. While it's a drive from Danville, Cades Cove 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. The regional Class 4 baseline at Houchin's Field 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. The journey to Houchin's Field from Danville 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. While Danville has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Cades Cove are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Stable autumn high-pressure systems over the mountains offer surprisingly good 'seeing' for planetary targets. The journey to Cades Cove from Danville 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The regional Class 4 baseline at Cades Cove is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. 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 Danville, Cades Cove 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. The regional Class 4 baseline at Cades Cove is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. 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 Danville, Cades Cove offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset