Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. Because Flamingo offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Flamingo to escape the most intense local glares.
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. Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer to escape the most intense local glares.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Marathon residents, as the dark horizons at Flamingo will reveal the full depth of the target. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Flamingo to escape the most intense local glares.
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. The Class 3 skies at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer to escape the most intense local glares.
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. The Class 3 skies at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. The Class 3 skies at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer to escape the most intense local glares.
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 Marathon residents, as the dark horizons at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will reveal the full depth of the target. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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! Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
May 5–6, roughly 3:00–5:30 AM local time
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Venus & Jupiter Conjunction
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a high-magnitude event for Marathon residents, as the dark horizons at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will reveal the full depth of the target. Warm, moist air is actually heavier and less turbulent, providing a 'thick' but steady window for tonight's targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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 Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer to escape the most intense local glares.
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! Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Be wary of 'Heat Haze' near the horizon; aim your viewing toward the zenith for the clearest perspective. A drive out of Marathon toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. Because Flamingo offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. In the humid South, transparency is highest after a cold front passes through, washing the sky of its hazy moisture. For the best experience, Marathon observers should aim for Flamingo to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
Watch for the planet's moons; even small telescopes can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter today. The Class 3 skies at Flamingo are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Flamingo will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. The Class 3 skies at Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Winter dry-fronts in the South bring rare, crystal-clear transparency that rivals high-altitude sites. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Marathon residents, as the dark horizons at Flamingo will reveal the full depth of the target. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Flamingo will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. Because Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cooler Gulf nights often see a reduction in local particulate haze, making it a great time for deep-sky targets. A drive out of Marathon toward Camp Wesumkee / Camp Jackson Sawyer will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset