Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. For Le Mars observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Heritage Center, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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. For Le Mars observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Heritage Center, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. For Le Mars observers, this Planetary Opposition will be visible at Heritage Center, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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 Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. Pack some snacks for the drive from Le Mars; the dark horizons at Heritage Center 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 Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. While Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. Pack some snacks for the drive from Le Mars; the dark horizons at Heritage Center 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
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. The regional Class 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. High-pressure winter systems often bring the steadiest air for capturing planetary cloud belts. Pack some snacks for the drive from Le Mars; the dark horizons at Heritage Center 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 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The regional Class 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Midwest summer humidity can trap urban light; head to a rural clearing to get above the local ground-haze. While it's a drive from Le Mars, Heritage Center 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The regional Class 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Late summer nights after a thunderstorm offer the best transparency as the rain washes the atmosphere. Pack some snacks for the drive from Le Mars; the dark horizons at Heritage Center are a justified reward for this view.
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. While Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Late summer nights after a thunderstorm offer the best transparency as the rain washes the atmosphere. While it's a drive from Le Mars, Heritage Center 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. For Le Mars observers, this Eclipse will be visible at Heritage Center, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Midwest summer humidity can trap urban light; head to a rural clearing to get above the local ground-haze. While it's a drive from Le Mars, Heritage Center offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 regional Class 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars 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
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. While Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Look for 'Blue Sky' days that lead into deep-black nights; this indicates the lowest possible water vapor. Pack some snacks for the drive from Le Mars; the dark horizons at Heritage Center are a justified reward for this view.
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 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Stable, Arctic air masses in the Midwest can offer rock-solid seeing, though be prepared for extreme equipment 'cool-down' times. While it's a drive from Le Mars, Heritage Center 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. While Le Mars has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Heritage Center are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. The journey to Heritage Center from Le Mars is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Meteor Shower is worth the effort.
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. The regional Class 5 baseline at Heritage Center is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. The heavy, frozen air of a Great Lakes winter can be incredibly transparent once the snow clouds clear. While it's a drive from Le Mars, Heritage Center offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset