Quadrantids 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 Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. 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 Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. The Class 1 skies at Union Pass are a total game-changer for this Moon Event; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. The journey to Union Pass from Lander 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
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. The Class 1 skies at Union Pass are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. Pack some snacks for the drive from Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Lander has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground 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. The journey to Gros Ventre Campground from Lander 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
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. This is a high-magnitude event for Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. This is a high-magnitude event for Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. Pack some snacks for the drive from Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass are a justified reward for this view.
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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Because Union Pass offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. While it's a drive from Lander, Union Pass 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. This is a high-magnitude event for Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. While it's a drive from Lander, Union Pass 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. Variable spring weather means you should watch for 'clearing' windows where the transparency suddenly spikes. While it's a drive from Lander, Union Pass offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Lander observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Gros Ventre Campground, 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 Lander, Gros Ventre Campground 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
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. Because Union Pass 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. While it's a drive from Lander, Union Pass 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
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Lander residents, as the dark horizons at Union Pass will reveal the full depth of the target. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. While it's a drive from Lander, Union Pass 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
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. The Class 1 skies at Union Pass are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; 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 Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass are a justified reward for this view.
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. Because Union Pass offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The transition to cooler weather often brings stable air masses that are perfect for high-resolution imaging. Pack some snacks for the drive from Lander; the dark horizons at Union Pass are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because Union Pass 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 Union Pass from Lander is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. While Lander has some skyglow, the moderate Class 4 conditions at Gros Ventre Campground 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Lander; the dark horizons at Gros Ventre Campground are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The Class 1 skies at Union Pass 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 Lander, Union Pass 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. 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 journey to Gros Ventre Campground from Lander 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