Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. 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 Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. The journey to Magnolia North from Gypsum 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. For Gypsum observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Piceance Basin Rd 76, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. The journey to Piceance Basin Rd 76 from Gypsum 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. This is a high-magnitude event for Gypsum residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. While it's a drive from Gypsum, Magnolia North offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Gypsum residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. The journey to Magnolia North from Gypsum 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Gypsum residents, as the dark horizons at Magnolia North will reveal the full depth of the target. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Pack some snacks for the drive from Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North 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 Gypsum has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Piceance Basin Rd 76 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. While it's a drive from Gypsum, Piceance Basin Rd 76 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
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Gypsum; the dark horizons at Magnolia North are a justified reward for this view.
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. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Gypsum, Magnolia North 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. Because Magnolia North offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. The journey to Magnolia North from Gypsum 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'. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. While it's a drive from Gypsum, Magnolia North 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. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Gypsum, Magnolia North offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The regional Class 4 baseline at Piceance Basin Rd 76 is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. While it's a drive from Gypsum, Piceance Basin Rd 76 offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 3 skies at Magnolia North are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. While it's a drive from Gypsum, Magnolia North 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. For Gypsum observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Piceance Basin Rd 76, 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 journey to Piceance Basin Rd 76 from Gypsum is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Moon Event is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset