Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! The Class 3 skies at Desert View Parking Lot 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. For the best experience, Tuba City observers should aim for Desert View Parking Lot 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
Try to catch the moonrise or moonset to see the 'Moon Illusion' making it appear massive against the horizon. Because Grand Canyon National Park 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. While it's a drive from Tuba City, Grand Canyon National Park 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
Wait for the planet to reach its highest point in the sky to minimize atmospheric 'shimmer'. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park will reveal the full depth of the target. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tuba City; the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Moon & Mars Conjunction
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park will reveal the full depth of the target. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. While it's a drive from Tuba City, Grand Canyon National Park offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Shortly after sunset
Recommended Gaze
Southwest sky
Six-Planet Evening Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. The Class 3 skies at Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center 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. The journey to Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center from Tuba City is a commitment, but the gain in sky quality for this Planetary Alignment is worth the effort.
Optimal Window
30–75 minutes after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West to southwest sky along the ecliptic
Total 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 Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Navajo Point 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. A drive out of Tuba City toward Navajo Point 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. The Class 3 skies at Grand Canyon National Park are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tuba City; the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park are a justified reward for this view.
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. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Navajo Point 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 Navajo Point 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center 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. While it's a drive from Tuba City, Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Because Grand Canyon National Park offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tuba City; the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Just after sunset
Recommended Gaze
West-northwest sky
Mercury, Venus & Jupiter Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. Because Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. The journey to Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center from Tuba City 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
Look about 45 degrees away from the radiant point for the longest, most dramatic tail streaks. The Class 3 skies at Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center are a total game-changer for this Meteor Shower; you'll see details urbanites miss. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tuba City; the dark horizons at Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Late night Aug 11 through dawn Aug 12
Recommended Gaze
Northeast sky
Partial Lunar Eclipse
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Desert View Parking Lot will reveal the full depth of the target. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. Getting away from the urban dome and heading toward Desert View Parking Lot will make this celestial roadmap truly pop.
Optimal Window
Late evening into early morning
Recommended Gaze
South to southwest sky
Saturn at Opposition
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Desert View Parking Lot will reveal the full depth of the target. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. For the best experience, Tuba City observers should aim for Desert View Parking Lot to escape the most intense local glares.
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 Navajo Point 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. A drive out of Tuba City toward Navajo Point 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. Because Grand Canyon National Park offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. The dry mountain air is incredibly clear, though the rapid temperature drop after sunset requires 'cooling down' your optics. While it's a drive from Tuba City, Grand Canyon National Park offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Desert View Parking Lot 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 Tuba City toward Desert View Parking Lot 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Tuba City residents, as the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park will reveal the full depth of the target. Summer transparency usually peaks around 2 AM when the day's rising heat has finally radiated away. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tuba City; the dark horizons at Grand Canyon National Park are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset