Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Lie flat on your back to take in as much of the sky as possible. No telescope needed! This is a high-magnitude event for Tucumcari residents, as the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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. While it's a drive from Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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
A moon filter for your telescope can help reduce the glare and reveal subtle lunar textures. Because North of Fort Union National Monument 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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
This is the best time for high-magnification viewing. Use a 2x Barlow lens if you have one. The Class 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument are a total game-changer for this Planetary Opposition; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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
Check the alignment early; some conjunctions happen low on the horizon and set quickly. Because North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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. Because North of Fort Union National Monument 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. The journey to North of Fort Union National Monument from Tucumcari 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. Because North of Fort Union National Monument 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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
Wide-field eyepieces are best here to frame both celestial bodies in the same view. Because North of Fort Union National Monument offer such pristine regional darkness, expect this event to have significantly higher contrast. High-altitude desert winds can be turbulent; finding a shielded canyon spot helps steady the view. While it's a drive from Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
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 Tucumcari residents, as the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument are a justified reward for this view.
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 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument 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. Pack some snacks for the drive from Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument are a justified reward for this view.
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 North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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. The Class 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument are a total game-changer for this Planetary Alignment; you'll see details urbanites miss. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. The journey to North of Fort Union National Monument from Tucumcari 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. This is a high-magnitude event for Tucumcari residents, as the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument will reveal the full depth of the target. The summer heat holds onto dust; wait for the post-midnight 'settling' for the darkest sky background. While it's a drive from Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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
The temperature may drop noticeably during the event; having an extra layer ready is a veteran move. The Class 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument are a total game-changer for this Eclipse; you'll see details urbanites miss. Monsoon season moisture can be high, but the transparency just after a desert rain is world-class. While it's a drive from Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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
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 Tucumcari residents, as the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
Sunset through sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East after sunset, south at midnight
Four-Planet Morning Alignment
This parade of worlds is best viewed 45 minutes after sunset before the lower planets set. This is a high-magnitude event for Tucumcari residents, as the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari; the dark horizons at North of Fort Union National Monument are a justified reward for this view.
Optimal Window
90–30 minutes before sunrise
Recommended Gaze
East to southeast sky
Mars & Jupiter Conjunction
A rare photo opportunity. Use a tripod and a 2-3 second exposure to capture both objects clearly. The Class 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument are a total game-changer for this Conjunction; you'll see details urbanites miss. 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 Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Pre-dawn hours
Recommended Gaze
East-southeast sky
Geminids Meteor Shower
Avoid using binoculars; you'll want the widest field of view (your naked eyes) to catch fast streaks. The Class 3 skies at North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument 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
Even in a bright city, a Supermoon provides enough contrast for great smartphone photography through an eyepiece. Because North of Fort Union National Monument 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 Tucumcari, North of Fort Union National Monument offers the isolation needed for spectacular views of tonight's target.
Optimal Window
Evening through dawn
Recommended Gaze
East at moonrise, west at moonset