Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! The regional Class 5 baseline at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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 Fairhope has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Mobile St. Boardwalk are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Mobile St. Boardwalk will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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'. For Fairhope observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. While Fairhope has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. A drive out of Fairhope toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 Fairhope observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Mobile St. Boardwalk, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Fairhope toward Mobile St. Boardwalk will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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 Fairhope has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Mobile St. Boardwalk are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Mobile St. Boardwalk to escape the most intense local glares.
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 regional Class 5 baseline at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. For Fairhope observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Mobile Street Beach, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Gulf humidity acts as a stabilizing agent for the atmosphere, which is counter-intuitive but excellent for planetary detail. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Mobile Street Beach to escape the most intense local glares.
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. While Fairhope has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Mobile St. Boardwalk are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. A drive out of Fairhope toward Mobile St. Boardwalk will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. For Fairhope observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. For Fairhope observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. While Fairhope has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Mobile St. Boardwalk are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. A drive out of Fairhope toward Mobile St. Boardwalk 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The regional Class 5 baseline at Mobile St. Boardwalk is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Fairhope toward Mobile St. Boardwalk will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Mobile St. Boardwalk is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Mobile St. Boardwalk will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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! For Fairhope observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Fairhope observers should aim for Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture to escape the most intense local glares.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Building 82 - Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Adjacent to the "Constellations" Sculpture will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset