Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. While Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Day Use Pavilions 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 Kermit, Day Use Pavilions offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Kermit observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Helipad, 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. The journey to Helipad from Kermit 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 Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Day Use Pavilions are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. While it's a drive from Kermit, Day Use Pavilions offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Kermit observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Day Use Pavilions, 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kermit; the dark horizons at Day Use Pavilions are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Helipad 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. While it's a drive from Kermit, Helipad 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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Helipad 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 journey to Helipad from Kermit 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. For Kermit observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Helipad, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. A high-pressure cell over the Great Plains can provide a rare, steady window for high-magnification observation. While it's a drive from Kermit, Helipad offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. While Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Helipad 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. While it's a drive from Kermit, Helipad offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Helipad 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 journey to Helipad from Kermit is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. The regional Class 4 baseline at Day Use Pavilions 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kermit; the dark horizons at Day Use Pavilions are a justified reward for this view.
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 regional Class 4 baseline at Helipad 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. While it's a drive from Kermit, Helipad offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Kermit observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Helipad, 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. The journey to Helipad from Kermit is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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 Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Day Use Pavilions 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kermit; the dark horizons at Day Use Pavilions are a justified reward for this view.
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'. While Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Day Use Pavilions are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. The journey to Day Use Pavilions from Kermit 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
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. For Kermit observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Helipad, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. While it's a drive from Kermit, Helipad 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. For Kermit observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Day Use Pavilions, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. While it's a drive from Kermit, Day Use Pavilions offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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! While Kermit has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Day Use Pavilions 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Kermit; the dark horizons at Day Use Pavilions are a justified reward for this view.
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 4 baseline at Day Use Pavilions 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. While it's a drive from Kermit, Day Use Pavilions offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset