Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. This is a high-magnitude event for Palmer residents, as the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Palmer residents, as the dark horizons at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 will reveal the full depth of the target. Look for the crisp windows between winter storms when the air is scrubbed of all dust and haze. While it's a drive from Palmer, Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Palmer residents, as the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. Because Moose Rut Pullout offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Colder offshore winds can sharpen celestial focus, though watch for rapid dew accumulation on your tripod. The journey to Moose Rut Pullout from Palmer 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
Higher elevations will give you a much better chance of spotting the planets closest to the horizon. Because Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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 Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. While it's a drive from Palmer, Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Palmer; the dark horizons at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 are a justified reward for this view.
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 Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. The journey to Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 from Palmer 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Because Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. While it's a drive from Palmer, Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. Because Moose Rut Pullout offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Warm summer air is stable, but keep your gear shaded during the day to avoid thermal currents. The journey to Moose Rut Pullout from Palmer 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 Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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 Palmer, Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 2 skies at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. While it's a drive from Palmer, Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Palmer residents, as the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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. The Class 2 skies at Moose Rut Pullout are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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. The Class 2 skies at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; 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 Palmer; the dark horizons at Tokosha Mtns Peak 5109 are a justified reward for this view.
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 Palmer residents, as the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout 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 Palmer, Moose Rut Pullout offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. Because Moose Rut Pullout 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Palmer; the dark horizons at Moose Rut Pullout are a justified reward for this view.
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 Class 2 skies at Moose Rut Pullout are a total game-changer for this Moon Event; you'll see details urbanites miss. Coastal mist can be a challenge; choosing a site with even a few hundred feet of elevation is a tactical advantage. The journey to Moose Rut Pullout from Palmer 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