Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! For Jackson observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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 Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Albright Pulloff 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. Jackson residents have a major advantage with Albright Pulloff so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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'. The regional Class 4 baseline at Gros Ventre Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. Jackson residents have a major advantage with Gros Ventre Campground so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Gros Ventre Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. The short hop from Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The regional Class 4 baseline at Gros Ventre Campground 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 Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. While Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Jackson residents have a major advantage with Gros Ventre Campground so close by for spontaneous celestial alerts.
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 Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Albright Pulloff are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. The short hop from Jackson to Albright Pulloff means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. The regional Class 4 baseline at Gros Ventre Campground is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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. For Jackson observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Pollen and dust can be high in spring; a simple dew shield can help protect your optics during long sessions. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, it's perfect for a mid-week observation of this event.
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 Jackson observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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 Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. While Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground 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 Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The regional Class 4 baseline at Gros Ventre Campground 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. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. For Jackson observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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 Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. For Jackson observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. The short hop from Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. While Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground 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. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, it's perfect for a mid-week observation 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. While Jackson has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Autumn cooling is more gradual than spring, leadng to more frequent nights of steady, reliable seeing. The short hop from Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground 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 Jackson observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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. Since Gros Ventre Campground is just a quick dash from Jackson, 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. For Jackson observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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 Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground means you can be set up in minutes for tonight's window.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset