Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. For Portland observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, 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 Portland, Choke Canyon State park offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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. For Portland observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. The journey to Choke Canyon State park from Portland 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. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Choke Canyon State park 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 Choke Canyon State park from Portland 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Choke Canyon State park 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Portland; the dark horizons at Choke Canyon State park 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. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Bird Island Boat Ramp are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Bird Island Boat Ramp will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
During totality, the stars nearby will become much more visible as the Moon's glare vanishes. The regional Class 5 baseline at Bird Island Boat Ramp is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Portland toward Bird Island Boat Ramp will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. For Portland observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. The wide-open Plains often deal with the jet stream, so look for nights with low surface winds for the steadiest planetary views. The journey to Choke Canyon State park from Portland 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 regional Class 5 baseline at Bird Island Boat Ramp is perfectly suited for observing this celestial alignment. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Bird Island Boat Ramp 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
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. For Portland observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Bird Island Boat Ramp, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Bird Island Boat Ramp will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. For Portland observers, this Conjunction will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Winter seeing is generally steadier as long as you stay away from the active jet stream path. Pack some snacks for the drive from Portland; the dark horizons at Choke Canyon State park are a justified reward for this view.
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. For Portland observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Bird Island Boat Ramp, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Portland toward Bird Island Boat Ramp will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
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. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Bird Island Boat Ramp are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. A drive out of Portland toward Bird Island Boat Ramp 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
Watch the colors shift from copper to deep blood-red as the Earth's shadow fully consumes the lunar surface. The regional Class 5 baseline at Choke Canyon State park 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. While it's a drive from Portland, Choke Canyon State park 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
If you have a colored filter, use a blue one to enhance cloud belts or a red one for surface details. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Choke Canyon State park are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. While it's a drive from Portland, Choke Canyon State park 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
The 'Ecliptic' (the path of the planets) is clearly visible today. It's a great time to visualize the solar system's plane. For Portland observers, this Planetary Alignment will be visible at Bird Island Boat Ramp, which offers a reliable escape from the most intense local glare. Autumn on the Plains brings lower humidity and vast, clear horizons that are perfect for low-altitude conjunctions. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Bird Island Boat Ramp will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
This is a great 'naked eye' event, but 10x50 binoculars will reveal the color contrast between the objects. While Portland has some skyglow, the moderate Class 5 conditions at Choke Canyon State park are still excellent for the brightest phases of this event. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. The journey to Choke Canyon State park from Portland is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Conjunction is worth the effort.
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. For Portland observers, this Meteor Shower will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, 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 Portland, Choke Canyon State park 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. For Portland observers, this Moon Event will be visible at Choke Canyon State park, 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. The journey to Choke Canyon State park from Portland 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