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 Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. The Class 2 skies at East Rim Overlook are a total game-changer for this Moon Event; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at East Rim Overlook are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter at Opposition
Watch for the planet's moons; even small telescopes can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter today. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. While it's a drive from Ontario, Blue Basin Overlook 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. The Class 2 skies at Blue Basin Overlook are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because East Rim Overlook offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at East Rim Overlook 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. The Class 2 skies at East Rim Overlook are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at East Rim Overlook 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. The Class 2 skies at East Rim Overlook are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. The marine layer provides a natural 'heat sink,' resulting in exceptionally steady planetary views for coastal observers. The journey to East Rim Overlook from Ontario is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! The Class 2 skies at East Rim Overlook are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Ontario, East Rim Overlook 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 2 skies at East Rim Overlook are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Ontario, East Rim Overlook 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Warm summer air is stable, but keep your gear shaded during the day to avoid thermal currents. The journey to Blue Basin Overlook from Ontario is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because East Rim Overlook 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 East Rim Overlook from Ontario is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
20–45 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Perseids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Because East Rim Overlook 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 Ontario, East Rim Overlook 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
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook 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. The journey to Blue Basin Overlook from Ontario is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Eclipse is worth the effort.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. While it's a drive from Ontario, Blue Basin Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 East Rim Overlook offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. The journey to East Rim Overlook from Ontario 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. Pack some snacks for the drive from Ontario; the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a high-magnitude event for Ontario residents, as the dark horizons at Blue Basin Overlook will reveal the full depth of the target. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. While it's a drive from Ontario, Blue Basin Overlook 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. Because Blue Basin Overlook offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. While it's a drive from Ontario, Blue Basin Overlook offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset