Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. Because Signal Hill 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. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. Because Signal Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Signal Hill will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Jupiter at Opposition
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. Because Signal Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. A drive out of Sturgis toward Signal Hill 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
Moon & Mars Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. This is a high-magnitude event for Sturgis residents, as the dark horizons at Top of Memorial will reveal the full depth of the target. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Top of Memorial to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. The Class 2 skies at Signal Hill are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. A drive out of Sturgis toward Signal Hill will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total Lunar Eclipse
Capture the stages of the eclipse with a telephoto lens, keeping your exposure settings flexible as it darkens. Because Signal Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill to escape the most intense local glares.
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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. The Class 2 skies at Signal Hill are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. A high-pressure cell over the Great Plains can provide a rare, steady window for high-magnification observation. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Signal Hill will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
30–90 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. The Class 2 skies at Signal Hill are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill to escape the most intense local glares.
Optimal Window
Late night Apr 21 through dawn Apr 22
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Patience is key—meteors often come in 'bursts' followed by quiet lulls. The Class 2 skies at Signal Hill are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. Haze is common in the warmer months; use a light-pollution filter to gain back contrast for these types of events. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill 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
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. Because Top of Memorial offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Cold air is dense and stable, though your telescope mirrors will need at least 30 minutes to reach thermal equilibrium. A drive out of Sturgis toward Top of Memorial 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
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. This is a high-magnitude event for Sturgis residents, as the dark horizons at Signal Hill 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. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill to escape the most intense local glares.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Sturgis residents, as the dark horizons at Signal Hill 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Signal Hill will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
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. Because Signal Hill 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. For the best experience, Sturgis observers should aim for Signal Hill to escape the most intense local glares.
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'. Because Signal Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. 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 Signal Hill will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
Start from the brightest planet and use it as a 'jumping point' to find the fainter ones in the line. Because Signal Hill offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The crisp, dry air of late October offers the most transparent windows for the faint autumn nebulae. A drive out of Sturgis toward Signal Hill will significantly improve your chances of spotting the fainter details of this event.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. This is a high-magnitude event for Sturgis residents, as the dark horizons at Top of Memorial will reveal the full depth of the target. 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 Top of Memorial will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! Because Signal Hill 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. A drive out of Sturgis toward Signal Hill 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
Perfect for binocular viewing. Look at the 'terminator' line (where light meets shadow) for the best crater detail. Because Top of Memorial 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. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Top of Memorial will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset