Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. While Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance 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. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance 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. For Fruitvale observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, 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. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance 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. Fruitvale residents have a major advantage with Hilltop above maintenance so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. For Fruitvale observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, 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. Fruitvale residents have a major advantage with Hilltop above maintenance 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. For Fruitvale observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, 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. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. While Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. For Fruitvale observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. Fruitvale residents have a major advantage with Hilltop above maintenance 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! For Fruitvale observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance 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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Hilltop above maintenance is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. While Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance 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. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 5 baseline at Hilltop above maintenance 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 short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance 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. Since Hilltop above maintenance is just a quick dash from Fruitvale, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Hilltop above maintenance 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. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance 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
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. While Fruitvale has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Hilltop above maintenance are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The transition to cooler weather often brings stable air masses that are perfect for high-resolution imaging. The short hop from Fruitvale to Hilltop above maintenance 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
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. For Fruitvale observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, 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. Fruitvale residents have a major advantage with Hilltop above maintenance 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. For Fruitvale observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The transition to cooler weather often brings stable air masses that are perfect for high-resolution imaging. Since Hilltop above maintenance is just a quick dash from Fruitvale, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. For Fruitvale observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Hilltop above maintenance, 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. Since Hilltop above maintenance is just a quick dash from Fruitvale, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
Optimal Window
Late night Dec 13 through dawn Dec 14
Recommended Gaze
East to overhead
December Supermoon
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. The regional Class 5 baseline at Hilltop above maintenance 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. Fruitvale residents have a major advantage with Hilltop above maintenance so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset