Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. For Gresham observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Burroughs Mountain, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to Burroughs Mountain from Gresham 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Sasquatch Family Farms are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. The journey to Sasquatch Family Farms from Gresham 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'. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Burroughs Mountain are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The journey to Burroughs Mountain from Gresham 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. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The short hop from Gresham to cruise ship means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 Gresham observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Sasquatch Family Farms, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. While it's a drive from Gresham, Sasquatch Family Farms 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Plummer Peak are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. The journey to Plummer Peak from Gresham 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Sasquatch Family Farms is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gresham; the dark horizons at Sasquatch Family Farms 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 regional Class 4 baseline at Plummer Peak is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. The journey to Plummer Peak from Gresham is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. For Gresham observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Sasquatch Family Farms, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gresham; the dark horizons at Sasquatch Family Farms 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Nighttime inversions near the coast often trap steady air, making this a prime window for high-magnification moon study. Gresham residents have a major advantage with cruise ship so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Sasquatch Family Farms 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 journey to Sasquatch Family Farms from Gresham 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. For Gresham observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Sasquatch Family Farms, 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. While it's a drive from Gresham, Sasquatch Family Farms offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Burroughs Mountain 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 Burroughs Mountain from Gresham is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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'. For Gresham observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at Burroughs Mountain, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. While it's a drive from Gresham, Burroughs Mountain 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. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Sasquatch Family Farms are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gresham; the dark horizons at Sasquatch Family Farms 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. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The short hop from Gresham to cruise ship means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
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 Gresham observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at cruise ship, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Since cruise ship is just a quick dash from Gresham, 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. While Gresham has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at cruise ship are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Since cruise ship is just a quick dash from Gresham, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset