The only thing better than sleeping under the stars is camping beneath the Milky Way鈥檚 glittery galactic center, and now is the best time to do that.

July and August provide dazzling, nearly all-night views of the core of our spiral galaxy, a luminous bulge of stars, dust, and gas. But seeing the Milky Way does require a bit of planning鈥攕omething I鈥檓 currently in the throes of as I plot summer astrophotography expeditions from New Mexico to Maine.

Here鈥檚 how and when you can spot the Milky Way this summer, plus seven of the country鈥檚 best destinations for galaxy gazing.

When Is the Best Time to See the Milky Way?

You can technically see a portion of the Milky Way all year, but you can鈥檛 always admire the photogenic core. That鈥檚 due to our solar system鈥檚 location, as well as Earth鈥檚 rotation around the sun.

The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, and our solar system lies on its outer fringes. From late November through January, the sun hovers between the galactic center and Earth. We can still our galaxy鈥檚 outer reaches鈥攁 spray of bright stars and space dust鈥攂ut the real treat hits in spring, when we move far enough around the sun for the Milky Way鈥檚 galactic center to come back into view.

The core is visible in the early morning hours from spring into early summer, and for a few hours after dusk in the fall. But July and August deliver eye-popping, and nearly all-night views of our galaxy鈥檚 interior鈥攊f you鈥檙e in the right place at the right time.

How Can I See the Milky Way?

Darkness is a must if you hope to see the Milky Way core. You need inky skies, and that starts with avoiding artificial light. I use 听and scout DarkSky International鈥檚 to plan my stargazing outings.

Timing is also important. Schedule your Milky Way pursuits for around five nights before and after a new moon to avoid lunar light.

And consider the light you produce out in the field. It takes our eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark after exposure to bright white light. That includes your phone. Once you鈥檙e safely in your stargazing spot, switch to a red-light headlamp to help preserve your night vision (or ditch light entirely), and turn off your phone. If you do need the latter to check stargazing apps or weather and safety alerts, use for a shortcut to turn your phone鈥檚 screen red.

Where Can I See the Milky Way in the U.S.?

Northerly destinations may get the best aurora views, but the Milky Way core, which travels above the southern horizon near the Sagittarius constellation, is much more visible in the lower 48 states. That鈥檚 why I focus my domestic stargazing trips on the contiguous U.S.

Here are seven of the best places to see the Milky Way across the country, as well as where to sleep beneath the stars while you鈥檙e there.

1. Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, Texas

This more than nine-million-acre reserve from Fort Davis to the Rio Grande is about as dark as skies can get in the contiguous U.S., and it鈥檚 packed with picturesque spots for galaxy viewing. Big Bend National Park is among the best of them, with beneath pristine nightscapes (permit required; from $10 per night) or the popular and peak-flanked Chisos Basin Campground (; from $16 per night). For a national park alternative that鈥檚 also within the reserve, try stargazing at Big Bend Ranch State Park, particularly along .

2. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Remote is an understatement when it comes to Capitol Reef National Park, a destination that鈥檚 almost 100 miles from the nearest traffic light. The 242,000-acre park offers numerous night-sky , including the primitive and pinyon-dotted Cathedral Valley Campground (free), Slickrock Divide on the Scenic Drive, and Panorama Point. Overnighting in the park provides the best stargazing, but you can also stay just outside its boundaries for a night of stargazing in a retro wagon at (from $199).

3. Chaco Canyon Natural Historic Park, New Mexico

Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico has long allured space enthusiasts with its dark skies and millennia-old astronomical history. Ancestral Puebloans incorporated astronomy, particularly the solar and lunar cycles, into and culture. Today, light pollution measures have preserved the skies above this UNESCO World Heritage Site and DarkSky-certified park. Pitch a tent beneath our galaxy鈥檚 glowing core at (from $20 per night); it鈥檚 located 1.5 miles from the visitor center. And don鈥檛 miss the Pueblo Bonito Overlook to see ancient ruins beneath a sea of shining stars.

4. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine

As one of the darkest places in the eastern U.S., Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is another stargazing destination for your bucket list. It鈥檚 an International DarkSky Sanctuary, with numerous views toward the heavens, including the Lunksoos picnic area and the Loop Road overlook. Given the getaway鈥檚 remoteness, camping is the easiest way to admire the Milky Way. The only caveat: you need a campground with as little forest cover as possible. For that, try (from $8 per night) on the park鈥檚 southern end for relatively open views to the night sky.

5. Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan

Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula is one of my favorite lower 48 aurora-hunting perches, and it鈥檚 also a great spot to catch the Milky Way core, particularly in the Keweenaw Peninsula鈥檚 remote northern fringes. Admire our spiral galaxy from Brockway Mountain or visit the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, located at the . You can overnight at the latter (from $225 per night) for easy stargazing access, or book a stay at lakefront (from $135), where you could catch both the northern lights and the Milky Way core in one night.

6. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

Light pollution plagues much of the eastern U.S., but you can easily dodge it at Pennsylvania鈥檚 DarkSky-certified Cherry Springs State Park. The stargazing hub, located 180 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, provides several options for admiring the heavens. There鈥檚 a public viewing area for hobbyist stargazers craving a few hours beneath the cosmos, or an overnight observation field with for astronomers and astrophotographers with telescopes and camera equipment; it requires a permit ($25 per night). You can also find just outside the park (from $179 per night).

7. Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming

Glacier-carved Sinks Canyon State Park is Wyoming鈥檚 first DarkSky-certified park. The getaway is best known for its disappearing waterway鈥攖he Popo Agie River, which seemingly stops in a limestone cavern, then reappears a quarter-mile later in a rainbow trout-filled pool. But the nightscapes are just as mind-bending in this mosaic of limestone. Enjoy the Milky Way views by camping (from $10 for Wyoming residents and $18 for nonresidents) or (from $79). Sinks Canyon lies in the Wind River Range, around 165 miles southeast of another stargazing favorite, Jackson Hole.

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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. at 1-800-273-8255.

Tangerine flames swirled as Gerry Ward sat fireside, deep in thought, with campfire crackles and wafts of ember taking his mind far beyond the Scottish Highland surroundings. It鈥檚 a scene many of us know well: a starlit woodland evening spent cozied up around a fire ring. Yet for Ward, this solo backpacking trip beneath Scotland鈥檚 Cairngorms mountains was about more than stars and s鈥檓ores. Ward, now 56, had spent most of his adolescence and early adult years navigating deep-seated childhood trauma, which eventually led to issues like chronic anxiety and alcohol abuse. Solo treks through his native Scotland during the height of his struggles, his thirties, provided rare solace from stress, trauma, and depression. 鈥淚 was connecting with nature as a remedy to escape from all of that,鈥� he recalls.

When Ward became a father at age 42, he knew he had to get clean. 鈥淚 got professional help, but what helped me most of all was going back to nature,鈥� Ward says. For him, the fire-building process, from gathering raw materials to starting and then watching the blaze, was the most therapeutic part. 鈥淥nce the fire鈥檚 going, that鈥檚 when the real connection starts. The fire cracks, the smells鈥攊t goes back into our subconscious minds. We connect with our primeval brain, and that connection is a quarter of a million years old.鈥�

Ward spent every spare weekend for more than a decade navigating recovery via these solitary fireside meditations. After realizing how much it helped him, Ward invited a friend who was struggling to join, too. It turns out, campfire camaraderie was what they both needed. 鈥淲hen you get two people around the fire, the inevitable happens: you start talking,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e were sharing things we would never normally share, like deep-rooted trauma. By just talking about something, you鈥檙e breaking the power it has over you.鈥�

Since 2021, Ward has been using the healing benefits of fire to help those struggling with mental health challenges and addiction through his Scotland-based nonprofit, . He runs monthly retreats in Scotland鈥檚 great outdoors that harness the healing power of campfires. He鈥檚 not the only one tapping into fire鈥檚 therapeutic effects.

As the popularity of eco- and adventure-therapy grows, so, too, does the role of campfires. 鈥淔ire, like the other natural elements, has the ability to help someone be more comfortable in the discomfort of change processes like therapy,鈥� says Brian Strozewski, a certified clinical adventure therapist and founder of Ohio-based .

Campfire therapy is simple: the idea is to use the fire ring鈥檚 healing and soothing benefits to help people open up while navigating trauma. in the journal Evolutionary Psychology suggested that fireside sitting can decrease blood pressure, foster relaxation, and improve social interactions. Counselors and organizations around the world have watched these results unfold before their eyes.

鈥淪itting around campfires, being around likeminded individuals who have gone through similar trauma experiences, then having the opportunity to talk in a safe environment about your trauma鈥攖hose are all healing things,鈥� says combat-wounded Marine Corporal of U.S.-based , a nonprofit that uses eco-therapy and specialized care to help post-9/11 veterans improve mental and physical health.

It鈥檚 a critical need; suicide is the second-leading cause of all post-9/11 veteran deaths.

The White Heart Foundation hosts eco-adventure therapy retreats to help veterans and first responders cope with trauma and psychological stressors from the frontline. The trips, run among the pines and peaks of Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, and Colorado, fulfill participants鈥� adrenaline needs with adventures like rock climbing and whitewater rafting. 鈥淭he healing comes when people sit around the fire,鈥� Morgan says.

Fireside sharing is peer-led. Veteran mentors, such as Morgan, a Purple Heart recipient who lost his legs during an IED accident in Afghanistan, start with their own personal stories. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had groups with people extremely closed off, they hardly say a single word during the first couple of days of the trip,鈥� says Morgan. 鈥淏y the end, they鈥檙e sharing their story with everyone. It鈥檚 an amazing transformation.鈥�

As , sharing feelings, especially putting negative emotions and experiences into words, is an important step toward recovery and improved mental health. Ward says the fire provides a safe, less vulnerable place to open up.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e not speaking to me, or anyone in particular. They鈥檙e speaking to the fire,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e watched someone do an entire share of 45 minutes, and blink two or three times [without looking] at an individual. That鈥檚 the start of the healing process.鈥�

Let鈥檚 be very clear: Fireside sharing, or really any sort of therapeutic nature experiences, is only one part of a more extensive therapy program. 鈥淪itting by a campfire is not a magical fix to the issues,鈥� says Morgan, noting many veteran participants have seen, or continue to see, therapists or counselors. 鈥淚 believe [campfire sharing] is a helpful gateway for individuals to realize they need professional help.鈥�

Some therapists, including Strozewski, use natural elements, such as forests and campfires, to aid their sessions. 鈥淚 connect with nature as more of a co-regulator, almost like a friend or partner who is present to help the person be regulated, to feel safe, and to have internal balance,鈥� he says. And, just like, say, rock climbing, isn鈥檛 for everyone, Strozewski notes that fireside chatting isn鈥檛 always the right call. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to consider someone鈥檚 existing relationship with fire.鈥�

One reason Strozewski says campfires work well with nature therapy is that they鈥檙e a symbol of letting go. 鈥淟etting go of the pains and learning what that process is like is necessary so we aren鈥檛 tethered [to negative emotions],鈥� he says. 鈥淲e can move forward to what鈥檚 next.鈥�

For years, certified therapeutic recreation specialist Kevin Gruzewski watched this release firsthand. He ran at a residential facility for teenage boys undergoing drug rehabilitation and mental health recovery in Chicago, Illinois. During these sessions, the teens jotted down their regrets, gathered by a fire, and tossed the papers into the flames. After experiencing the fire鈥檚 therapeutic effects, they enjoyed the lighthearted fun many associate with campfire hangouts: talking, joking, playing games, and sharing s鈥檓ores.

鈥淢ost of them were from the inner city; they hadn鈥檛 experienced a bonfire or being in nature,鈥� Gruzewski says. 鈥淪ome of the boys did or dealt with pretty rough things, so you could tell some of them liked that feeling of letting go, even just for that moment.鈥�

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Few venues let you admire the heavens like national parks鈥攑articularly during star parties. These events are exactly what they sound like: gatherings of dozens to thousands of night-sky enthusiasts, all focused on watching the cosmos.

National park star parties aren鈥檛 a new phenomenon, but they鈥檝e become particularly buzzed-about with the recent boom in astrotourism. Take Grand Canyon National Park. In 1991, the park partnered with the to host their first Grand Canyon Star Party. Now, the week-long summer celebration draws more than 1,000 nightly visitors for guided sky-watching, cultural storytelling, and astrophotography workshops. And it鈥檚 not the only park alluring travelers with astronomical awe.

National parks now host star parties across the country, with the bulk of events scheduled over the summer and early fall. That鈥檚 when the Milky Way is at its most dazzling; plus, warmer weather makes all-night fun more feasible.

Here are nine of the best national park star parties and astronomy festivals to bookmark for 2025, and a bonus nightscape celebration for early 2026.

Grand Canyon Star Party

June 21-28, 2025

There鈥檚 nothing like catching the cosmos above the Grand Canyon鈥檚 striated walls. Go all in on scenic stargazing with rangers, astronomers, and other guest experts at the this June. The event draws thousands of attendees with powerful telescopes, space presentations, Indigenous sky talks, and music designed to bring these vivid nightscapes to life. The festivities are spread across the North and South Rim visitor centers, and typically last until around 11 p.m. Attendance is free and open to the public, with park entrance starting at $35 per private vehicle.

Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival

June 26-28, 2025

See the hoodoos beneath the pinpricked heavens at the annual . This weekend-long event, which is free with park admission (starting at $35 per private vehicle), entertains visitors with astrophotography workshops, astronomical history sessions, expert-guided stargazing, and astronomy 101 talks. The final evening will bring a particularly spectacular show with Mars, the bright star Regulus, the crescent moon, and Mercury aligning in the western sky just after sunset. The Bryce Canyon National Park visitor center is the fest鈥檚 central gathering point, equipped with a telescope that鈥檚 available to the public from 10 p.m. to midnight both nights.

Badlands AstroFest

July 18-20, 2025

Stargazing among South Dakota鈥檚 striped buttes feels like sky-watching from outer space鈥攁nd a stop at the annual July only elevates the wonder. This three-day event, which takes place at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, offers planetarium activations, solar telescopes (watch for sunspots鈥攚here Earth鈥檚 dazzling aurora shows originate), and guided stargazing beneath Badlands National Park鈥檚 vast skies. Numerous speakers help illuminate both the myths and science of the celestial world. Better yet: It鈥檚 a free event; you鈥檒l just have to paypark entrance (from $30 per private vehicle).

Logan Pass Star Parties at Glacier National Park

July 25 and August 22, 2025

The Big Sky Astronomy Club hosts during the new moon at Glacier National Park each year. This summer鈥檚 events will lure astronomy enthusiasts to scenic Logan Pass, the highest point you can drive to in the park. The activities鈥攆rom watching distant galaxies and neighboring planets via telescopes (don鈥檛 miss Mars just above the western horizon) to dark-sky stargazing鈥攂egin at 10 p.m., but participants must arrive at the Logan Pass parking lot by 9:30 p.m. Tickets (from $5) are required and available the day before each star party in the ; park entrance starts at $35 per private vehicle.

Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival

August 22-23, 2025

Watch the stars swim above a sea of multi-hued rock and prairie grasses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park with the . This year鈥檚 event, scheduled for late August, will include expert astronomy speakers, guided sky-watching via telescopes and laser pointers (keep watch for Saturn on the eastern horizon after sunset), and night-sky storytelling, as well as hands-on activities like astro-inspired arts and crafts. It鈥檚 free to partake, although park entrance (starting at $30 per private vehicle) is required.

Voyageurs National Park Star Party

August 29-30, 2025

Close out the summer with waterfront sky-watching at the , which runs the Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The event, hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy and several other local partners, helps visitors appreciate this DarkSky Park鈥檚 pristine nightscapes. Not only is Voyageurs famous for its countless stars, but it鈥檚 also among the country鈥檚 best national parks for chasing the aurora. This star party welcomes park-goers with telescopes, laser-pointer constellation viewing, and storytelling about this wetlands ecosystem. Details remain to-be-determined for this year鈥檚 event, but most experiences are free. (Entrance to Voyageurs National Park is also free, although for camping, houseboats, and select tours.)

Can鈥檛 make it to the summer show? Bookmark another Voyageurs sky-appreciation event鈥斺�攆or winter astro adventuring come February.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Dark Sky Festival

September 12-14, 2025

This September, scenic viewpoints and visitor centers across Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will welcome stargazers with telescopes, eye-popping sky viewing, and star-themed activities. The festival is free (with park admission, starting at $35 per private vehicle) and is often lauded for its fun, beginner-friendly approach to astronomy. Visitors enjoy space-movie screenings, astro-inspired arts and crafts sessions, and immersive stargazing led by local experts. Session specifics for are still being finalized, but get ready for planet watching. This year鈥檚 dates are especially ideal for spotting Saturn; the ringed planet will rise in the southeast sky after sunset with Uranus, visible only by telescope, following behind it

Great Basin Astronomy Festival

September 18-20, 2025

See Saturn, the Pleiades star cluster, the Andromeda galaxy, and countless other interstellar bodies above Nevada鈥檚 aspen forests and sagebrush-scented foothills . The annual event is free, although reservations are required for several events, including telescope sessions. The astronomy get-together includes guest speakers from NASA, tours of the Great Basin Observatory, guided stargazing, and an 鈥渁rt in the dark鈥� night experience. It鈥檚 best to arrive early, because the event is first-come, first-served and reaches capacity once the Lehman Caves and Great Basin Visitor Center parking lots fill.

Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival

October 24-25, 2025

Each year, the Sky鈥檚 the Limit Nature Center and Observatory, located right outside Joshua Tree National Park鈥檚 North Station entrance, hosts a . The festival offers dark-sky stargazing and telescopes to spy on nearby Betelgeuse and Saturn鈥檚 rings, all with the stark desertscapes and dramatic silhouettes of Joshua Tree National Park as the backdrop. Tickets for this event, as well as fleshed-out event details, will be available this summer. Prices have not been announced, but tickets typically go on sale during early summer.

Death Valley Dark Sky Festival

Early 2026

The is another major NPS stargazing gathering鈥攁nd for good reason. Far from city lights, Death Valley鈥檚 night skies are some of the darkest in the U.S. And, since nighttime offers a respite from the park鈥檚 famous heat this is one of the best ways to experience the valley for the first time. The annual event, which typically takes place in late February or early March, features astronomy talks, astrophotography meetups, family-friendly sky-watching tours, and telescope viewing to spy on deep space. Dates for the 2026 event will be released in the fall of 2025; tickets are free, but park entrance is required (starting at $30 per private vehicle).

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On four nights each year, sky-watchers flock to the streets of Midtown Manhattan to experience one of the nation’s best-known urban astronomical events: Manhattanhenge.

During this phenomenon鈥攏amed in honor of England鈥檚 famous Stonehenge鈥攖he sunset aligns perfectly with the city鈥檚 east-west grid, sending a blaze of sunlight down the streets and casting the city in a dramatic glow. The first Manhattanhenge of 2025 begins just before sunset on May 28 and occurs again around the same time on May 29. Two more golden-hour alignments follow in July.

The Big Apple isn鈥檛 the only destination to enjoy this urban astronomy delight, either. Cities around the world have their own solar skyline alignments. Here are a few of the best听urban henges in North America.

Why Urban Henges Happen

So, what is a henge, anyway? The word “henge” traditionally refers to a ring-shaped earthwork construction. Ancient peoples in the UK and elsewhere likely built these circular mounds and ditches for ceremonial purposes. Stonehenge is of particular interest to astronomers because the stones line up perfectly with the sun during the winter and summer solstices. Scholars believe Stonehenge may have been used as a calendar in the New Stone Age.

Urban sky-gazers take a contemporary spin on this Neolithic astronomy concept by pinpointing days when the sun seems to rise or set between a canyon of skyscrapers. This phenomenon is possible in cities with an east-west street grid, as the sun rises in the former and sets in the latter.

These cities experience the 鈥渉enge鈥� effect on the spring and fall equinoxes鈥攖he only days when the sun rises due east and sets due west. (The rest of the year, it tends to rise and set north or south of that east-west axis, since the earth spins on a tilted axis). Many cities are constructed with a slightly offset grid, so the exact henge timing varies by location. Manhattanhenge, for example, happens in May and July because Midtown鈥檚 streets were built roughly .

Ready to catch a henge near you? Here are 10 city henges on the horizon for 2025, including when and where to see each one.

Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge, a term first coined by astrophysicist , draws urban astronomers each May and July. You can witness the spectacle from several of Manhattan鈥檚 thoroughfares. If you鈥檙e watching from street-level, you鈥檒l need an unobstructed line of sight from your viewpoint to the eastern or western horizon. The view will be more dramatic when the sun is framed by tall skyscrapers, so it鈥檚 best to watch from a location that offers horizon views through a long听tunnel of buildings.

Head to your observation spot at least 30 minutes before sunset. This will give you adequate time to find the perfect viewing location and watch the sun glide between the skyscrapers. As with any urban adventure, remember to keep an eye on traffic and only watch the spectacle from a safe, pedestrian-friendly spot like a park or sidewalk鈥攏ot from the middle of the road.

Where: Midtown Manhattan

2025 Dates: Sunset on May 28鈥�29, July 11鈥�12

Best viewpoints: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets

Baltimorehenge

See Baltimore鈥檚 take on the urban henge phenomenon a few weeks before the spring equinox, and then again in late September after the autumn equinox.

Where: Business District, Baltimore

2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 28鈥�29

Best viewpoints: Lombard and Baltimore streets (West of Calvert streets)

Phillyhenge

Philadelphia鈥檚 henge鈥攂etter known as Phillyhenge鈥攈its around early April and early September, marking the coming of spring and the end of summer.

Where: Center City, Philadelphia

2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 4鈥�6

Best viewpoints: Market and Chestnut streets, John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Chicagohenge

The Windy City enjoys its henge right around the spring and fall equinoxes. When scouting your viewpoint, make sure you鈥檙e west of Wabash Avenue, as the elevated L line stations will slightly obstruct it.

Where: The Loop, Chicago

2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 24-26

Best viewing locations: Adams, Monroe,听 Madison, Washington, Monroe Streets

Bostonhenge

Bostonhenge is best admired in Back Bay, typically in February and late October or early November. Viewing options can be limited due to the area鈥檚 abundance of trees, so it鈥檚 best to scout your location in advance.

Where: Back Bay, Boston

2025 Dates: Sunset on Nov. 2-3

Best viewing locations: Boylston Street from the Public Garden

Scrippshenge

While it鈥檚 not technically in a city, Scrippshenge is a buzzed-about sight among San Diego astronomers and photographers. Twice per year, the sun aligns with the beams of UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. The perfectly framed sunset happens in early May and then again in August.

Where: Scripps Pier in La Jolla, San Diego

2025 Dates: Sunset on Aug. 9-10

Best viewing locations: La Jolla Shores beach, just beneath the pier

Edmontonhenge

With Edmonton鈥檚 precise east-west avenue arrangement, you can catch a solar alignment right around the spring and fall equinoxes. Try looking west from downtown鈥檚 Jasper Avenue for a .

Where: Downtown Edmonton, Canada

2025 Dates: Sunset on Sept. 23

Best viewing locations: Jasper Avenue

Californiahenge

Snag a hilltop perch for San Francisco鈥檚 henge鈥攏icknamed Californiahenge鈥攄uring sunrise for roughly two days each spring and fall.

Where: Nob Hill, San Francisco

2025 Dates: Sunrise on Sept. 4-5

Best viewing locations: California and Sacramento streets at Huntington Park

Montrealhenge

With Montreal鈥檚 offset grid, henge sightings occur within a few weeks of the summer and winter solstices. This year鈥檚 display is particularly exciting, as the tail end of it aligns with the city鈥檚 on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, one of the city鈥檚 oldest streets. The buildings on this street aren鈥檛 as towering as those in the heart of downtown, but visitors can still enjoy a more subtle鈥攁nd colorful鈥攇limpse of Montrealhenge from the free festival, which runs from June 5-15.

Where: Downtown Montreal, Canada

2025 Dates: Sunset from June 3-6

Best viewing locations: Boulevard Robert-Bourassa and Rue de Bleury in downtown, or Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Torontohenge

Toronto sees the solar henge effect with both sunrise and sunset, giving the city at least four ideal chances to view it. While the spectacle peaks during the dates below, say you can snag a great view for roughly a week ahead of time, too.

Where: Old Toronto, Canada

2025 Dates: Sunrise Aug. 22-23, Sunset Oct. 25-26

Best viewing locations: Richmond and Adelaide streets

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Of all the road trips I鈥檝e plotted in my travel writing career, the best had this in common: they were scenic, they were unhurried, and they capped each day beneath the cosmos. The following astro-meets-adventure itineraries tick every box.

There鈥檚 no better way to celebrate the start of road trip season鈥攁s well as from April 21 to 28鈥攖han by taking a long, star-focused drive. Some of these itineraries might already be on your list, others may surprise you, and all can be completed in a long weekend. Here are the best stargazing road trips in North America.

Cook County Aurora Route

3+ nights | Northern Minnesota

Cook County is among the northernmost points in the continental U.S. That makes this Lake Superior region arguably the best place in the lower 48 to chase the aurora. Here鈥檚 a 140-mile out-and-back drive through northern Minnesota鈥檚 forested fringes.

• Lutsen: Start roughly 90 miles north of Duluth for a stint on the 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail by day. Trek by day, then unwind beneath the stars after dusk. Sprinkle in some wellness with a stay at , where each abode has a private sauna with forest-view windows.
• Grand Marais: Drive 20 minutes north along the lake to reach Grand Marais, a spirited arts community. See the stars in unmitigated splendor on a guided night-vision hike with , a first-of-its-kind outfitter located just outside of Grand Marais. To optimize your aurora odds, book an accommodation within walking distance of ideal lights-hunting perch Artist鈥檚 Point (like ).
• Gunflint Trail: Sip your last dregs of city life before heading an hour inland on the 57-mile Gunflint Trail. This traverse, thick with maples and birches, is famous for its numerous moose sightings. For remote stargazing, reserve digs like or pitch your tent at a local campground (typically open starting in May). If you have time, set aside another day to explore nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, another DarkSky Sanctuary

The Arizona Traverse

3+ nights | Arizona

Inky nightscapes abound in Arizona, where global light pollution authority DarkSky International has certified more than two dozen astronomical getaways. Catch the cosmos on this 340-mile road trip, which weaves northward through the Grand Canyon State鈥檚 space-watching听hotspots. Consider adding a few detours, like Petrified Forest National Park. Your adventure starts in Tucson, and can end in Flagstaff or Las Vegas鈥攂oth major Southwest transit hubs.

• Tucson: Start your Arizona Traverse on the new , a mini road trip in itself that connects a dozen astronomy attractions in and around the city. Highlights include Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to one of the world鈥檚 largest radio telescopes, and Saguaro National Park, a DarkSky-certified escape where towering cacti pierce a sparkly night sky. Camping is available in six designated Saguaro Wilderness Area campgrounds. (Note: the sites are only accessible by foot.)
• Sedona: Head roughly three hours north of Tucson for stop number two, Sedona, another DarkSky-certified destination with star-view options galore. Admire the silvery pinpricks from Beaverhead Flat Scenic Overlook or the Aerie trailhead. Or, watch for stars and peculiar flying objects on a guided UFO tour. Reserve accommodations like to enjoy the dark-sky splendor from bed.
• Grand Canyon National Park: There鈥檚 nothing like sky-watching from the spellbinding Grand Canyon, whether it鈥檚 a ranger-guided astronomy session on the South Rim, or DIY stargazing on the remote North Rim, which is open from mid-May to mid-October. For the ultimate twilight treat, try the lottery for a sleep at Phantom Ranch, the only lodging on the Grand Canyon鈥檚 base.

Baja Coast to Coast

2+ nights | Baja Sur, Mexico

You could make a multi-month adventure out of zigzagging along Baja鈥檚 many natural and night-sky attractions. But for those who don鈥檛 have unlimited PTO, here鈥檚 a bite-sized, 100-mile trip from the Gulf of California to the Pacific coast. You could tackle this road trip in a quick weekend, but I recommend at least four nights to soak up the culture and daytime marvels.

• Loreto: Start your Baja Sur weekend in Loreto, a seaside town famous for its blue whales, national parks, beach clambakes, and鈥攖hanks to a recent community movement鈥攕targazing. The local astronomy club Cielo Magic hosts for residents and tourists in town. There鈥檚 also a local sky-watching meetup every Friday near the main plaza. Or, take a roughly 30-minute drive out of town to admire the planets and stars in the foothills of the Sierra de la Giganta mountains. Stay at historic and centrally located Hotel Boutique Posada de las Flores Loreto, which has a rooftop for space-gazing above the main square.
• Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos: Crisscross the peninsula鈥檚 mountainous interior to reach this tiny coastal town鈥攁 magnet for whale watchers between January and March. But marine life isn鈥檛 the only reason to visit. You can also book twilight sand dune tours and picnics through local outfitters. Overnight at an before heading back to Loreto the next day.

Oregon Outback

3+ nights | Central-South Oregon

Few destinations top stargazers鈥� bucket lists like the Australian Outback, but most don鈥檛 know that the U.S. has its own version much closer to home: the Oregon Outback, a stretch of high desert in the state鈥檚 central and southern regions. The region鈥檚 half-dozen DarkSky destinations are all within a few hours鈥� driving distance. Consider spending an additional evening in Sisters, an artsy DarkSky-certified community just outside of Bend.

• Prineville Reservoir State Park: Begin an hour from Bend at Prineville Reservoir State Park, a stop with kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and fishing, as well as year-round for all-hours star access. If you鈥檙e more of a glamper, book one of the park鈥檚 five deluxe log cabins to start your trip in style.
• Summer Lake: A three-hour drive south of Prineville Reservoir will drop you in the 2.5-million-acre Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Try the Summer Lake Wildlife Area for birdwatching in the marshes and camping beneath the cosmos. Or, upgrade your visit with a stay at the , a collection of campsites and cabins with onsite soaking pools.
• Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge: This remote, high-elevation refuge鈥攋ust three hours southeast of Summer Lake鈥攊s the ultimate Pacific Northwest retreat for space lovers. Pitch a tent for free at to snooze beneath the stars, then spend your daytime hours searching for petroglyphs or hiking to see pronghorns, pikas, and bighorn sheep.

Nova Scotia to New Brunswick

3+ nights | Eastern Canada

Life in Atlantic Canada centers on the sea, but don鈥檛 sleep on this maritime region鈥檚 starry skies. Three Dark Sky Preserves lie within a picturesque, six-hour road trip across the region. You鈥檒l start in Halifax and end in Moncton, though you can add stops like Prince Edward Island along the way.

• Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site: Kejimkujik鈥檚 thick pine forests, set two hours west of Halifax, brim with natural wonders and Mi鈥檏maw culture. Try hiking or biking through forests or along the coast, or take a to follow the footsteps of the area鈥檚 earliest humans. After sunset, snag a campsite (open mid-May to late October) and point your eyes skyward for a glimmering twilight fresco.
• Fundy National Park: A four-hour drive north will lead you to Fundy National Park, home to the highest tides in the world. Explore the expansive mud flats and craggy coasts in the afternoon, then watch for planets and stars by camping in the Dark Sky Preserve (sites and yurts available year-round).
• Kouchibouguac National Park: Conclude your journey with a 115-mile drive up to Kouchibouguac National Park, a mosaic of honey-hued dunes and sprawling wetlands. Spend daylight looking for river otters and seals, or mountain biking the park鈥檚 nearly 40-mile trail system. Camping, available from mid-May to late October, provides the best twilight view. You can also try a nearby cabin, , and visit the park at night.

Across the Appalachians

3+ nights | West Virginia to Virginia

Link up three DarkSky getaways just a short trip from D.C. This Virginia-West Virginia adventure totals roughly 150 miles point-to-point. Spend more time in West Virginia鈥檚 Monongahela National Forest, a rock-climbing oasis, if your PTO allows.

• Watoga State Park: Drive four hours west of Washington, D.C., or 2.5 hours north of Roanoke, for a starry retreat with all sorts of aquatic adventures. Watoga State Park, a 10,000-acre getaway with swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking, is part of one of the east coast鈥檚 largest DarkSky-certified areas. Overnighting in one of the park鈥檚 (from $157), or pitching a tent at one of its three (from $50), puts you smack-dab in the stargazing action.
• Natural Bridge State Park: Cross state borders to reach Natural Bridge State Park, a two-hour drive east of Watoga. This DarkSky-certified spot is full of karst terrain and navigable caverns. The park will host events starting April 25. Alternatively, book a primitive campsite or at a nearby campground and do your own star-watching from there.
• James River State Park: Around 60 miles east of Natural Bridge State Park, this Virginia escape offers pristine twilight skies and plenty of overnight accommodations, from park-run to full-service campsites. Spend your non-astronomy hours hiking the scenic 3.5-mile Cabell Trail or angling for smallmouth bass or catfish.

Klondike Highway

3+ nights | Yukon Territory, Canada

This historic highway parallels the route miners traversed during the Klondike Gold Rush. It鈥檚 also one of the continent鈥檚 best night-sky drives. Fortunately, you can tag some of the best bits in a long weekend. Start in Whitehorse, drive six hours up to Dawson City, then head back the way you came.

• Whitehorse: The aurora often flickers above Whitehorse, the Yukon territory鈥檚 main city, between early fall and spring. Book a private telescope session at the Yukon Astronomical Society鈥檚 Observatory, or try ice fishing beneath the aurora. Come summer, enjoy another astronomical marvel: the midnight sun. Sleep just outside of town at forest-fringed , a quiet escape tucked amid evergreens.
• Carmacks: Just two hours north of Whitehorse, you鈥檒l find the quiet riverside town of Carmacks. Local companies offer aurora tours from mid-August to mid-April. Hit the hay at a hotel in town, then stock up on road-trip snacks at the general store for the next leg of your drive.

Dawson City: After the 220-mile drive from Carmacks, your arrival in Dawson City will feel like striking gold. This National Historic Site overflows with Indigenous and gold-rush history. Explore downtown on foot, then admire the nightscapes from a yurt. If you鈥檙e here for the midnight sun, try summer camping up in mountainous Tombstone Territorial Park, a protected area on the Dempster Highway.

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The first eclipse of the year is almost upon us, and it鈥檚 well worth a few hours of skipped sleep. In the early morning hours of Friday, March 14, stargazers in North America can watch the moon slide into Earth鈥檚 shadow then turn a haunting tangerine hue.

This striking phenomenon, known as a blood moon, is the signature finale of a total lunar eclipse. It鈥檚 a spectacle stargazers haven鈥檛 witnessed since November 2022, and one the U.S. won鈥檛 see again until 2026. Even better: it鈥檚 easily visible to the naked eye鈥攅ven through light pollution. I watched the November blood moon from my backyard in Cleveland, Ohio. Weather-permitting, I plan to do the same come March 14.

Here鈥檚 how you can catch the show, too, as well as great getaways to make your eclipse-watching even more spectacular.

What鈥檚 a Total Lunar Eclipse?

During a lunar eclipse, Earth鈥檚 shadow slowly unspools across the face of the full moon. The entire duration of the event spans several hours鈥攊n this case, six. The subtle beginning phase, when the moon travels into Earth鈥檚 outer shadow, hits just before midnight ET on March 13. A partial eclipse, when the moon appears to have a noticeable bite missing, begins around 1 A.M. ET on March 14. And the moon fully enters our shadow around 2:30 A.M. ET. This brings the real showstopper, the blood moon, which glows a vivid red for roughly an hour, before transitioning back to a partial eclipse, then our regularly scheduled lunar programming.

The bright orange tine is a lesson in light and color. When sunlight passes through our atmosphere, shorter wavelengths, such as blue light, disperse. Only colors with longer wavelengths like red and orange can seep through. This light reaches the moon and paints it red.

Unlike last year鈥檚 buzzed-about total solar eclipse, this month鈥檚 lunar marvel is easier to spot. Its totality lasts for roughly an hour compared to a fleeting few minutes. And according to, a total lunar eclipse can be seen from a specific destination roughly once every 2.5 years鈥攂ut North Americans are extra lucky. The next visible total lunar eclipse occurs on March 3, 2026.

How to Watch This Year鈥檚 Total Lunar Eclipse

The moon will travel across the southern sky, toward the western horizon, throughout eclipse morning. That means you鈥檒l want clear views to the southern sky. While you鈥檙e out there, watch for Mars and Jupiter. Both will hang above the western horizon in the lead-up to the blood moon.

Overcast skies can hinder your eclipse viewing, but don鈥檛 let a few clouds deter you. In my experience, an intermittent cloud cover can actually add to a blood moon鈥檚 spookiness.

The entire lunar event spans around six hours. If you can鈥檛 stay up all night, I recommend heading out around 1:30 A.M. ET to watch Earth鈥檚 shadow take its eye-popping chomp out of the moon. Totality begins at 2:30 A.M. ET, and lasts for another hour after that.

Best Accommodations to Watch the Total Lunar Eclipse

If skipping sleep on a school night sounds daunting, consider turning your eclipse chase into a long-weekend break. I鈥檝e researched a host of U.S. accommodations to watch the blood moon, from a cozy cabin with a totality-view hot tub, a getaway with a private south-facing shoreline, or better yet, eclipse views from bed. All accommodations have eclipse availability as of publication.

Northeast

Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, New York

Century-old , set across eight fir-dotted acres just beyond Lake Placid鈥檚 Main Street, offers one of the Adirondacks鈥� best eclipse lookouts. The property peers south over its namesake lake, with water-view rooms for catching the show in your pajamas, or a private waterfront to photograph the scarlet orb reflecting off the glassy water. By day, go skating at the Olympic Center or head over to Mt Van Hoevenberg to watch the IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Championship, which runs from March 6 to 16. And take advantage of Mirror Lake Inn鈥檚 onsite amenities, such as a salt-therapy room and sauna, too. Mirror Lake Inn has 124 units; all overlook the water鈥攁nd therefore, the eclipse. From $349 per night

Skyline Serenity Cabin, Pine Creek Township, Pennsylvania

Admire the blood moon from a scenic hot tub at in Pennsylvania鈥檚 Pine Creek Township. The cabin, set among the rolling Allegheny mountains, is roughly 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. In addition to a hot tub, guests can sky-watch from the private patio or fire pit. The oversized windows make it possible to eclipse watch from the couch. Give your legs a daytime shakeout along the property鈥檚 forested walking trails, or amp up the hiking at nearby nature getaways like Cook Forest and Parker Dam state parks. Both are within an hour鈥檚 drive of the cabin. From $170 per night

Midwest

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

, a rustic resort on Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula, takes its stargazing seriously. In 2022, light pollution authority DarkSky International turned the woodlands surrounding the lodge into the U.P.鈥檚 first certified dark-sky park. Come for totality, then continue the lunar fun with a guided the night of March 14. The lodge鈥檚 24 cabins remain open year-round, snow or sun. And keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights; it鈥檚 one of the best places in the lower 48 states to catch the aurora. In fact, I鈥檝e caught swirls on the Keweenaw at least half a dozen times. From $250/ night with two-night minimum stay

Lookout Loft Treehouse, Valley Springs, South Dakota

Get a bird鈥檚-eye view of the blood moon at the , a hilltop abode located just outside South Dakota鈥檚 Sioux Falls. From the roost, complete with a wraparound porch, you鈥檒l enjoy unobstructed sky-watching from every angle, and its amenities only up the ante. There鈥檚 a hot tub and firepit-kitted patio, as well as windows to sky-watch from your plush bed. The treehouse rises 33 steps off the ground鈥攖he perfect cool-down after a day spent hiking through red quartzite canyons at nearby Park. From $150 per night.

Southeast

Starlight Haven at Weiss Lake, Alabama

Watch totality from a south-facing shoreline at , one of Alabama鈥檚 best astrotourism retreats. The getaway lies on Weiss Lake, with 1,500 feet of quiet waterfront and a communal fire pit area to mix and mingle while awaiting the lunar awe. Snag an A-frame cabin for two people with a private deck and hot tub with southern vistas over Weiss Lake (from $140), or a deluxe dome for up to four people with blood moon views galore (from $175). While you鈥檙e here, visit one of the country鈥檚 deepest canyons, , located 20 miles north.

Stargazer Cassiopeia, Terlingua, Texas

was tailor-made for night-sky enthusiasts, with space-view skylights that make sleep near impossible. Its location, just outside Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, is known for pristine nightscapes. Start your night watching the stars swim above the Chisos, then stay up by the fire pit to watch the moon turn a haunting red. Build in time for a stop, or several, at Big Bend National Park. The park鈥檚 west entrance is only 10 miles east of the A-frame. From $167 per night

West

Autocamp Zion, Virgin, Utah

Set between the Virgin River and Zion鈥檚 soaring red rocks, provides quite the dramatic eclipse backdrop. Its Airstreams, cabins, and canvas tents are about 13 miles from Zion National Park鈥檚 main entrance. The property also takes advantage of its surrounding crag, with tours like full-day rock climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking, and a two-hour Zion stargazing tour complete with telescopes for peering into deep space. Zion National Park is also open all night, so consider hitting the Pa鈥檙us Trail near the visitor center to watch the eclipse radiate above the the Watchman peak. From $211 per night

on

Camp V, Naturita, Colorado

welcomes campers and glampers to a remote and scrub-dotted corner of western Colorado. The 120-acre escape, located near the town of Naturita, comes with all sorts of lunar eclipse vantage points. Try the mountain-view water towers, an onsite lake with nearby camping, or a field with larger-than-life public art. For an extra splurge, book a Camp V like 鈥渟targazing and snuggles鈥� with cookies, blankets, cider, and a fire ($75). The site鈥檚 cabins, safari tents, and Airstreams are the perfect launchpad for the area鈥檚 adventure playground, with outings like canyon hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking nearby. From $165 per night for a cabin

The post How to Watch the Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Last year was a dream for astronomy enthusiasts like me, with brilliant low-latitude auroras, a total solar eclipse, and a bright comet that was easily visible to the naked eye. The good news is I鈥檓 just as excited for stargazing in 2025.

North America will enjoy an exceptional cadence of astronomical sights every season, starting with a buzzed-about planet parade on show now through late February, with a total lunar eclipse to follow in mid-March.

This is also a great year to be an aurora chaser. Now that the sun has entered solar maximum, we鈥檒l enjoy heightened northern- and southern-lights activity. This phenomenon occurs roughly once every 11 years, and it could continue until at least this fall, and potentially into 2026. So now is the time to plan a trip to see the auroras; here are the destinations I recommend to do just that.

As an astrophotographer, I travel the world seeking dark skies free from light pollution, but I also love watching interstellar magic from my backyard in Cleveland, Ohio. This year, backyard astronomers across the U.S. can enjoy all kinds of night-sky events, most visible even through city lights.

Here are the astronomical sights and events I鈥檓 most excited about in 2025, with tips on where, when, and how to make the most of them.

February

Prime Milky Way Season Begins

Under dark skies, you can technically see the Milky Way all year long, but not all sightings are equally astounding. This month the view improves as the dynamic and photogenic galactic center of our spiral galaxy, known as the Milky Way core, reappears in the southeast at night.

Here鈥檚 why: Earth is located on a spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy, roughly two-thirds from its center. Between November and late January, Earth鈥檚 orbit puts the sun between us and the Milky Way core. So instead of seeing its center, which is always found within the Sagittarius constellation, we only spot thin wisps of the galaxy鈥檚 outer fringes. It鈥檚 still a beautiful band of stars, but not the same. See below:

Come February, we鈥檝e transited far enough around the sun to once again start seeing that luminous core, which consists of dense gas, stars, and dust. You can admire it a few hours before dawn this month; the farther south you are, the earlier it rises. The sight will only improve as the year goes on. Summer, when the galactic center is visible most of the night, is my favorite time to photograph it.

Tips and Tricks: Location is critical. You鈥檒l need a dark sky and dim moon to fully appreciate the galactic center, which is apparent to the naked eye and especially dazzling in photographs. Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark to see it best. And don鈥檛 travel too far north; the galactic center is only visible below 55 degrees latitude鈥攔oughly Edmonton, Canada. Dark-sky destinations farther south, like those in New Mexico, Texas, or Arizona, provide the best views in the contiguous U.S.

Extra! Extra!: Start your pre-dawn core-watching with some evening awe. Just after sunset in late February, stargazers can admire a planet parade, with all seven of our neighboring planetary bodies. Here鈥檚 how to watch this rare alignment.

March 13-14

Total Lunar Eclipse

If there鈥檚 one stargazing sight you absolutely should not miss this year, it鈥檚 the total lunar eclipse above North America. Overnight from March 13 to 14, Earth will slide between the sun and full moon, casting a shadow that dims the latter. The indirect sunlight will turn the moon a haunting tangerine hue, which is why it鈥檚 known as a blood moon.

Tips and Tricks: The entire event will occur over six hours, starting just before midnight Eastern Time on Thursday, March 13. But the full eclipse鈥攚hen Earth鈥檚 shadow covers the entirety of the moon鈥攚ill run from around 2:30 to 3:30 A.M. Eastern Time on Friday, March 14. (Exact timing depends on your viewing location; download a stargazing app to determine your local watch time.)

Lunar eclipses are not only visible to the naked eye; they鈥檙e observable from light-polluted cities. I watched last year鈥檚 partial lunar eclipse from my front porch in Cleveland and used to zoom in on the action.

Extra! Extra!: The moon may get all the attention this month, but keep an eye out for auroras, too. The northern lights are said to be especially powerful around the equinoxes, due to our planet鈥檚 tilt, and this year鈥檚 spring equinox happens on March 20. Here鈥檚 my step-by-step guide to catching auroras in the lower 48 states.

June 21鈥�28

Grand Canyon Star Party

While you can spot many sights on this list from home, there鈥檚 nothing like admiring the cosmos with an expert. That鈥檚 why the 鈥攖he National Park Service鈥檚 largest night-sky gathering鈥攊s on this list. The annual summer event, set in the DarkSky-certified Grand Canyon National Park, draws hundreds of astronomy enthusiasts and thousands of visitors for a week of laser-guided stargazing, astrophotography workshops, and telescope sessions to check out everything from Jupiter鈥檚 great red spot to star clusters and nebulae. Volunteers set up around 50 telescopes each night.

This year鈥檚 free festival will be spread across two locations: on the South Rim outside the visitor center, run in partnership with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and on the North Rim at the Grand Canyon Lodge鈥檚 porch, with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix.

Tips and Tricks: The full festival schedule will be released in March鈥攃heck the for the latest news鈥攂ut it鈥檚 a good idea to book your stay at the Grand Canyon now, due to the event鈥檚 popularity, combined with the fact it鈥檚 held in the high season. And if you鈥檙e after a real red-rock treat鈥攕targazing from the floor of the Grand Canyon鈥攄on鈥檛 miss my guide to snagging a reservation at the iconic Phantom Ranch.

Extra! Extra!: While the Grand Canyon hosts the Park Service鈥檚 largest night-sky bonanza, many other national parks also put on star parties throughout the year. Those to consider include the , in Utah, which runs from June 25 to 28; the , in Nevada, from September 18 to 20; and Theodore Roosevelt National Park鈥檚 , in North Dakota, from September 19 to 21.

August 12鈥�13

Perseid Meteor Shower

The most popular and prolific meteor shower of the year, the Perseids, will peak the night of August 12, with some potential for interstellar fireworks early on the mornings of August 11 and 12, too. This powerful shower can produce up to 100 soaring meteors per hour at its peak, but sadly 2025 isn鈥檛 the best year for it鈥攖hat night in particular, the moon is quite full (85 percent), so it鈥檒l wash out all but the brightest of them. That said, don鈥檛 skip this year鈥檚 Perseids, but do optimize your viewing.

Tips and Tricks: Head to a DarkSky-certified park, or better yet, book a night at a stargazing retreat and plan to stay up late. The best viewing typically happens after midnight and into the wee hours of the morning. That鈥檚 when the meteor shower鈥檚 point of origin, located in the Perseus constellation, is at its highest point in the sky. Plus, the Perseids are known to generate bright and colorful fireballs, often vivid enough to shine through moonlight and light pollution.

Extra! Extra!: There鈥檚 plenty to admire while you await those shooting stars. Approximately three hours before sunrise on both August 12 and 13, bright Venus and Jupiter will appear close together above the eastern horizon, not far below Perseus. The moon and Saturn will also travel near each other the nights of August 11 and 12, rising in the east roughly two hours after sunset.

August 19鈥�20

Fall Planet Parade

We鈥檒l have a pause in planet parades after February 2025鈥檚 seven-planet gathering, but the fun returns mid-August鈥攁nd I鈥檒l have my camera ready for this one, because it promises to be quite photogenic. In the pre-dawn hours of both August 19 and 20, roughly an hour before sunrise, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will appear in a diagonal line above the east horizon, with the waning crescent moon just to their left.

This autumn planet parade will be particularly spectacular because elusive Mercury, often obscured due to its proximity to the sun, will be visible. (It鈥檚 at its farthest distance from the sun from August 19 to 20.) That means we鈥檒l have almost an hour of solid planet-parade watching before dawn.

Tips and Tricks: Continue to follow the diagonal line up the sky, above the northeast horizon, to see Uranus near the Pleiades star cluster. While Uranus typically requires a telescope for viewing, you can spot around six of the Pleiades stars unaided as well. Saturn is also easily visible atop the southwest horizon. Neptune is beside the ringed planet, too, but you鈥檒l need a telescope to spot it.

October 6

A Supermoon Trio Starts

In October, supermoon season will finally be upon us, and it kicks off a string of three consecutive, brighter than average full moons to close out the year. The first supermoon is the听 October 6 Hunter鈥檚 Moon, which will appear larger and more vivid than normal.

The full Beaver Moon on November 5 will be the largest of the year, and the Cold Moon on December 4 will be the last full supermoon until December 2026.

A full supermoon doesn鈥檛 differ all that much from your average full moon; it appears about 7 percent bigger and 15 percent more luminous, according to . The phenomenon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to Earth during its full-moon stage.

Tips and Tricks: I like to photograph supermoons in the evening hours when they rise above the horizon just before sunset. That鈥檚 when something NASA calls the 鈥溾�� makes it听 appear larger on the horizon than it is when it鈥檚 higher in the sky. For photographers, objects on the horizon (like skyscrapers, animals, or trees) can also add scale to make the moon look exceptionally dramatic. Another great reason to watch a supermoon above the eastern horizon just before dusk: it turns a gold hue.

Extra! Extra!: Adding to the awe is Saturn, which rises just to the right of the moon on October 6. The November and December supermoons will rise above the northeast horizon before sunset, too.

October 9

The Moon Covers Pleiades

Here鈥檚 another marvel that even city dwellers can enjoy. On this night, the nearly full moon will cross in front of the Pleiades star cluster鈥攐ne of the brightest objects we can see outside of our solar system, with around six stars visible to the naked eye.

Watching a bright moon slide in front of any distinguishable space sight is thrilling鈥攁nd many U.S. stargazers learned this firsthand with last month鈥檚 . The U.S. won鈥檛 see the moon cover another planet until 2026, but this lunar occultation of Pleiades, a deep-space object known for its cobalt-blue stars, will put on quite the show, and you need not travel far to see it.

The Pleiades cluster boasts over 1,000 stars, and you can spot the brightest of them even amid light pollution. So get out and enjoy this event from right outside your door鈥攏o gear required. In fact, the Pleiades star cluster is one of my favorite sights when stargazing at home in Cleveland.

Tips and Tricks: During this event, the moon will begin to travel in front of the Pleiades stars around 11 P.M. Eastern Time, concealing several of the blueish flecks as the night goes on. The stars will reappear as the moon reaches the other side roughly three hours later. (Use a stargazing app to determine exact timing.)

You can catch the show in the northeast sky; those on the West Coast will need clear views to the horizon since it will happen soon after the moon rises.

November 7鈥�9

Aurora Summit

The boom in northern lights will continue through much of 2025, and you can hone your auroral hunting, and learn more about those dreamy sky swirls, at the annual Aurora Summit, this year in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Now in its eighth year, the festival brings together night-sky enthusiasts for a weekend of seminars, photography workshops and forecasting tutorials by day, and, of course, guided aurora chasing by night.

This gathering takes place in my favorite region in the contiguous U.S. for aurora hunting鈥攖he Great Lakes鈥攚ith the picturesque backdrop of Lake Superior and the scenic Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. While star parties abound in the U.S., this is one of the nation鈥檚 only festivals dedicated entirely to the northern lights.

Tips and Tricks: Bookings open on the in June. Consider the pre-event鈥檚 astrophotography boot camp if you want to elevate your night-sky photgraphy skills.

December 13鈥�14

Geminid Meteor Shower

If there鈥檚 one meteor shower you should witness in 2025, it鈥檚 the Geminids. Under pristine skies free of light pollution, this year-end spectacle can produce upward of 150 meteors per hour when it peaks overnight between December 13 and 14. The best viewing starts after 10 P.M. and continues through the night. The waning crescent moon won鈥檛 rise until 2 A.M. local time, so you鈥檒l have several hours of prime meteor-shower watching sans moonlight.

Tips and Tricks: Stargazing from a DarkSky-certified destination will improve your viewing. And I recommend using a light-pollution map, like , to locate a nearby stargazing perch that鈥檚 spared from city lights. Look for a spot with clear views to the eastern sky, where the shower鈥檚 origin point, located near the Castor star in the Gemini constellation, rises. Bright Jupiter, located right within Gemini the night of December 13, can aid your viewing.

I鈥檓 a big fan of the Geminids, not just for the abundance of meteors but their striking beauty. These interstellar fireworks are vivid and speedy, and can come in all sorts of colors鈥攏otably white, yellow, and green鈥攄ue to the remnants of metal. In December 2023, I even watched a bright-red Geminid streak through the sky above my house, creating a trail of shimmery scarlet as it traveled.

5 Ways to Enhance Your Stargazing Experiences

1. Download a Stargazing App

A night-sky app like ($20 for the Pro subscription, which I use) or (free) can do wonders for your stargazing. These apps use live night-sky simulations to help you navigate the heavens and locate both obvious space objects, like planets, as well as more obscure stars, galaxies, or star clusters.

2. Use Red Lights

It can take our eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark after exposure to bright white lights. Red lights, on the other hand, are much less disruptive. Use a 鈥攐r cover your white light in red cellophane鈥攖o preserve your night vision in the field. I also use to turn my iPhone light red so I can still use it when needed.

3. Learn to Photograph with Your Smartphone

The cameras built into today鈥檚 smartphones are astounding, especially for astrophotography. If you鈥檙e interested in snapping pics of the night sky but don鈥檛 want to invest thousands of dollars in an astrophotography kit, learn to use your smartphone to take night photos. I wrote this guide to photographing the northern lights with your smartphone, and you can use many of the lessons in that piece to shoot the stars with your phone as well.

4. Visit Your Stargazing Perch by Day

If you鈥檙e stargazing in a new destination, stop by the site in the daytime so you鈥檙e familiar with the parking situation, any safety hazards, and the best place for sky-viewing. When hiking at night, remember to stick to the trail and follow Leave No Trace principles鈥攑ack out all that you bring in, let wildlife be, and don鈥檛 veer off the established route.

5. Stargaze with a Buddy鈥攐r Better Yet, a Guide

While I鈥檝e spent many a night stargazing solo, I鈥檓 more at ease when I鈥檓 with a friend鈥攁nd even more so with a local guide, especially if I鈥檓 in a new locale. If you鈥檙e heading out alone at night, tell someone where you鈥檙e going, and pack extra safety items, like a portable charger for your phone, a headlamp with spare batteries, and a satellite communicator for emergencies.

Stephanie Vermillion is 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥�s astrotourism columnist and author of National Geographic鈥檚 , which was published in December 2024. She鈥檚 planning her 2025 travels around many attractions on this list, from chasing the auroras in Yukon and Norway to photographing the Milky Way core in the Southwest. You can follow her adventures on .

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It鈥檚 a great year for planet-watching. In addition to this week鈥檚 stellar views of Mars, stargazers can admire multiple 鈥減lanet parades鈥濃�攖he simultaneous appearance of several planets in the night sky鈥攊n 2025. Arguably the best parade of the year commences on January 18, with Venus and Saturn appearing within 2.2 degrees, or roughly two pinky-widths, of each other. The parade will continue into mid-February, with two additional planet gatherings to follow later in 2025.

Planet parades 鈥渁ren鈥檛 super rare,鈥� according to , 鈥渂ut they don鈥檛 happen every year鈥� either.

Here鈥檚 how to make the most of 2025鈥檚 celestial shows.

How to View a Planet Parade

First, let鈥檚 talk planet-watching basics. You can generally see Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury with the naked eye. Uranus is sometimes naked-eye visible, but only under the darkest skies. Neptune is too small and dim for us to see unaided. A telescope can significantly enhance your view; if you don鈥檛 have one, check out the public stargazing nights at your .

I use the stargazing app ($12.99 for the “plus” version) to navigate the night sky. And another astro hack: You can tell the difference between a planet and a star because the former glows steadily while the latter flickers. Some planets, like Mars, even have a noticeably pale-orange tinge.

The great thing about viewing planets is you don鈥檛 have to travel far. Unlike fainter interstellar sights such as the northern lights, the brightest planets are visible even in light-polluted cities. That means you could catch this year鈥檚 planet parades by stargazing from your own backyard.

Here are dates of the year鈥檚 major planet parades, with tips on where and when to look, plus recommendations for a handful of national parks with surreal cosmic views.

The Best Times to See the Planet Parade听

Technically, this month鈥檚 planet parade is already on show. Six planets鈥擵enus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars鈥攈ave been visible up in the sky throughout January. The parade will continue into mid-February. That said, peak observing begins this weekend, as Venus and Saturn will appear exceptionally close in the southwest sky soon after sunset on January 18, according to .

On January 21, Jupiter and Venus will become even more radiant as they climb high in the evening sky with the moon staying below the horizon until after midnight. The lack of lunar light will make it easier to spot the planets and see more stars.

Another highlight of the year鈥檚 first planet parade: after sunset on February 1, Venus and the crescent moon will appear close together in the southwest sky for several hours before plummeting beneath the western horizon.

This month鈥檚 spectacle will be visible each night, weather permitting, from mid-January to mid-February between sunset and 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. You can use a stargazing app to determine exact timing for your location.

More 2025 Planet Parades to Watch for

Late February

January鈥檚 interstellar gathering will be the easiest to watch鈥攁nd therefore the one not to miss this year鈥攂ut a late-February parade, which will be best viewed around February 28, introduces a new twist. Mercury will join the party, creating a rare gathering of all seven of our neighboring planets in the sky at once.

But the late-February viewing will be much trickier than this week. At the end of February, all planets technically will be up at the same time at dusk, but Saturn will set soon after the sun does. It will also largely get washed out by the sun鈥檚 glow, which illuminates the western horizon for up to 90 minutes after sunset. Given its close distance to the sun, Neptune, which will hang near Saturn, will also be close to impossible to spot, even through a telescope.

To see this late-February planet parade, watch the western horizon right after sunset on February 28. That鈥檚 when Mercury is most visible, with the luminous planet Venus above it. Jupiter, Mars, and Uranus will be high in the south-southeast sky that night, too.

Mid-August

After February, we鈥檒l have a lull in major planet gatherings until mid-August, when Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury will simultaneously parade in the pre-dawn sky. Mercury will reach its farthest distance from the sun鈥攖he period when it鈥檚 most visible鈥攆rom August 19 to 20. Look for it in the pre-dawn sky on August 20.

Mercury will rise over the east horizon, with Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent moon nearly aligned over it. Saturn and Neptune will also be close together, above the western horizon, with Uranus overhead.

Best Places to View the 2025 Planet Parades

Video of skywatching in Loreto, Mexico, on January 12 by Stephanie Vermillion. This timelapse has views of Venus, which is very bright and distinguishable, and Saturn just above it and harder to distinguish from stars. The video was taken the day before the full moon, so its bright glow is washing out most stars.听

The planets will be spread across the sky for most of 2025鈥檚 planet parades, meaning they will not be in a straight line, but appear from east to west. For best viewing, seek a wide-open vista with minimal obstructions to the horizon; a hilltop or large field would work well. Again, since the brightest planets can be seen even in cities, you don鈥檛 have to travel to see them.

If you want to take your observation to the next level, however, these five national parks offer stargazing events and wide-open viewing areas for enjoying the show. See more locations and tips on what to bring here.

SOUTH: Everglades National Park

Spot the planets from the highest viewing deck in Florida鈥檚 Everglades National Park. The park鈥檚 70-foot Shark Valley Observation Tower overlooks up to 20 miles of the Everglades, with open 360-degree vistas. The tower stays open 24 hours a day.

The safest way to visit this gator-country attraction at night is via the park鈥檚 free ranger-led , which runs January 13, 19, 21, and February 4, 5, 18, 19, 26, and 27.

SOUTHWEST: Canyonlands National Park

Grand View Point in Canyonlands National Park made our list of best scenic viewpoints for a reason. This perch looks out upon a sweeping panorama of water-carved sandstone, and, as a Dark Sky-certified park, Canyonlands remains open 24 hours a day. The lookout lies at the southern end of Island in the Sky drive, just off the road on a paved path, with a second perch a one-mile trail away. Be careful in the winter; it can get icy. from $30 per private vehicle

WEST: Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is one of the best places in the country for stargazing and planet-watching, with lookouts open 24 hours like the panoramic promising sparkly nightscapes above. Add to your astronomical awe by attending one of several night-sky events: a free on January 18 or 25, a with telescopes on January 24, or the park鈥檚 from February 21 to 23. from $15

EAST: New River Gorge National Park

In the eastern U.S., try the New River Gorge, which is also open around the clock. The recommends a handful of stargazing spots, including the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, or take the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, among other options. The main overlook at the Grandview Visitor Center is especially promising in winter, with minimal overhead foliage and expansive vistas. The park is free to enter.

MIDWEST: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

in North Dakota has all the conditions for picturesque planet-gazing: wide-open views, awestriking scenery, and minimal light pollution. The park, again open throughout the night, includes several starry-sky viewpoints. Try Riverbend Overlook to watch the constellations and planets float above the Missouri River, or hit up Painted Canyon Visitor Center to marvel at the shimmery nightscapes above the badlands. While you鈥檙e here, keep an eye to the north鈥攚hen conditions align, this is a great national park to spot the northern lights.

Stephanie Vermillion is 国产吃瓜黑料’s astrotourism columnist. Recent articles for 国产吃瓜黑料 include this account of her three top nighttime adventures, an excerpt from her new book, 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark; the scoop on where to find the darkest skies in North America for aurora hunting and stargazing; and nine places to see the most dazzling northern lights in decades. She is based in Cleveland.

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Keep your eyes on Mars in our night sky this week. Our neighboring planet鈥攖he fourth from the sun in our solar system and approximately half the size of Earth鈥攚ill look larger and brighter in our heavens than it has for the past two years, particularly Wednesday night. That鈥檚 when Earth will pass directly between Mars and the sun, putting us within 60 million miles of the Red Planet, roughly 42 percent closer than average.

Astronomers call this phenomenon opposition, and it affords prime sky-watching conditions. During opposition, a planet is closer to Earth, and we benefit from seeing the celestial body with the sun鈥檚 full glare, which makes it appear exceptionally vivid.

While we can enjoy the opposition of distant planets like Jupiter and Saturn almost every year, Mars is only in opposition once every 27 months because our orbits are closer, according to . And this week marks its long-awaited moment in the sun.

Here鈥檚 when and how to best observe Mars during opposition. It won鈥檛 be this radiant again for us until 2027.

The Best Nights to View Mars During Opposition

Mars technically reaches opposition between January 15 to 16, but even now it鈥檚 already more luminous than usual. If you go outside tonight鈥攐r any night until Wednesday鈥攖he Red Planet will look spectacular and only get brighter as we near opposition.

Here’s a video of Mars next to the moon during the 2022 opposition, as viewed via a Nikon P1000 camera:

On January 13, we鈥檒l see another interesting Martian sight: , which occurs when this month鈥檚 full Wolf Moon slides in front of Mars. According to , this will begin over the contiguous U.S. at 8:45 P.M. EST and will be visible to the naked eye above most of North America. (Exact timing and duration will vary by location.)

Throughout opposition week, if the sky is clear in your location, Mars will shine as vividly as Sirius, the night sky鈥檚 brightest star. But if you can only stay up late one night, I recommend the January 15 opposition, when the planet will be more dazzling to us on Earth than any time since December 2022.

Where to Spot Mars in the Sky During Opposition Week

Mars will rise in the east at dusk and set above the western horizon around sunrise. Seek out the planet鈥檚 tangerine tinge in the Gemini constellation (the hue will become bolder closer to opposition). Peak viewing begins around midnight, when Mars is highest in the sky.

Even in light-polluted cities, Mars is visible to the naked eye. I shot the following photo on January 7 while I was in San Diego, and visibility was still quite remarkable.

That said, a pair of binoculars鈥攐r better yet a telescope鈥攚ill show off the planet鈥檚 surface details, including a vast canyon system and Olympus Mons, a volcano three times as high as Mount Everest.

If you鈥檙e new to planet-watching, download a stargazing app to navigate the heavens and to locate other prominent nearby celestial sights, like Jupiter and Sirius.

Regional Astronomy Events Celebrating Mars That Are Worth Traveling To

Consider attending a community astronomy night, where night-sky experts will show you the stars and planets via telescope. I found a half dozen excellent stargazing events across the country that will focus on the Mars opposition this week, but it鈥檚 always worth reaching out to your to see if it鈥檚 hosting any get-togethers for planet-gazing, too. (Note: all events below are weather permitting.)

The East

Chester, Pennsylvania

The astronomy and physics faculty at Widener University, just south of Philadelphia, are running a public Mars Night Stargazing Session at its observatory starting at 7 P.M. on January 15. Registration is required. As of publication, this event is at full capacity, but you can join the waitlist. Free

The South

Conway, Arkansas

At 6 P.M. on January 15, the , located north of Little Rock, will open its observatory to the public for night-sky observations through a powerful Meade 14-inch-aperture LX200R telescope. Free

The Midwest

Jeff Davis County, Texas

The McDonald Observatory, located in West Texas but part of the University of Texas at Austin, will host a star party at 7 P.M. on January 14. Come for the amphitheater tour and stay for the telescope viewing. Advance registration is required. From $25

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Heide Observatory鈥檚 aligns perfectly with the Mars opposition. The January 15 event begins at 6 P.M. at the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum. Guides will lead guests through a tour of the night sky via laser pointer. $12

The West

Divide, Colorado

The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society is hosting a Mars-centered star party at Mueller State Park, 33 miles west of Colorado Springs, starting at 7 P.M on January 17. The event will take place at the park鈥檚 visitor center; no registration is required, but you will need a (from $10).

Sunriver, Oregon

The , roughly 20 miles south of Bend, is giving the public a prime view of Mars on January 15 starting at 7 P.M. The observatory has one of the largest collections of publicly accessible telescopes in the country, with staff astronomers at the ready to help visitors learn to use them. Registration is required. $28 for nonmembers; free for members

Stephanie Vermillion is 国产吃瓜黑料 Online鈥�s astrotourism columnist. She鈥檚 the author of the new National Geographic book, , and she plans to watch Mars鈥檚 opposition on a stargazing getaway to Loreto, Mexico.

The post You Can See Mars at Its Brightest This Week. Here鈥檚 How. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In 2010, a camping trip to the Sahara opened my eyes to the magic of the night sky. I was a college junior spending the summer abroad in Morocco, and until then I鈥檇 never seen the Milky Way, let alone a meteor shower, due to light pollution back in my suburban hometown of Dayton, Ohio. But that night, tucked into a sleeping bag beneath the African desert鈥檚 real-life planetarium, I saw them both. The experience opened me up to all the unfathomable marvels of the universe.

In the years since, I鈥檝e built a travel-writing career around my fascination with the moonlit world. Recently, my noctural adventures have included: watching nesting sea turtles with Indigenous guides in Panama, pitching a tent on the Greenland ice sheet in a snowstorm, chasing the northern lights in Iceland, and searching for fluorescent rocks on the shores of Lake Superior鈥攁mong many other sleepless excursions.

These trips, and many more such outings, fill the pages of my upcoming book, 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark, published by National Geographic and available on December 3. I hope the following three adapted excerpts鈥攕ome of my favorite experiences鈥攊nspire you to skip sleep and soak up the night鈥檚 wonders, too.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Ice-Sheet Camping in Greenland

Spend an icy night camping above the Arctic Circle, following in the crampon-carved footsteps of polar explorers on the Greenland ice sheet. It鈥檚 a rare and immersive way to admire the world鈥檚 second largest expanse of ice, a blustery behemoth that blankets nearly 80 percent of Greenland鈥檚 landmass with icy mountains, teal lakes, and a minefield of crevasses and moulins (deep shafts in the ice).

Given the harrowing surroundings, most overnight ice-sheet jaunts are reserved for professional exploration or scientific research teams. But makes the dream possible for more amateur, yet still intrepid, guests. The outfitter鈥檚 two-day, one-night camping trip offers a taste of expedition life鈥攂ut don鈥檛 let the short duration fool you. A sleep on the unforgiving 656,000-square-mile sheet of white鈥攁n expanse roughly the size of Alaska鈥攊s no walk in the park.

On the trip, you and a team of trekkers haul tents, sleeping bags, and fuel for roughly one hour of hiking into the ivory abyss. Once you reach your overnight accommodations鈥攁n open patch of ice鈥攊t鈥檚 time to build camp from the ground up. You鈥檒l crank ice stakes, sort gear, pitch tents, and collect snow to boil for water.听It鈥檚 grueling work, but the sweat鈥檚 worth it for quality time with this rare wonder.

Once camp is set, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to hike among ice mounds and pristine cerulean water bodies, aurora hunt (in the spring or fall), and admire the midnight sun come summer. Just as memorable are the deep conversations shared over freeze-dried dinners in Camp Ice Cap鈥檚 orange globe mess tent. One topic that鈥檚 sure to arise among these fragile landscapes: climate change.

As the news headlines show, Greenland鈥檚 ice sheet is ground zero of earth鈥檚 shifting climate. The white mass is expected to lose up to 110 trillion tons of ice by 2100鈥攁 change that could raise sea levels by a foot. To do its part protecting this natural resource, Camp Ice Cap tour operator Albatros Arctic Circle has a strict Leave No Trace policy. That means everything you bring with you must be carried out.

Each season introduces a different flavor of adventure. Come in the calmer summer months for ice hikes with endless hours of daylight and, on the warmest days, even short dips in meltwater 鈥渓akes鈥� (water temperaturess hover slightly above freezing this time of year, but a warm sun can make the quick swim surprisingly refreshing). Visit in the shoulder seasons鈥攕pring or fall鈥攆or a chance to see auroras. But be prepared for particularly unpredictable and unforgiving weather that time of year. You could have a snowstorm, clear aurora-streaked skies, or both in the same night.

Weather is all part of the Camp Ice Cap adventure, as is the journey to get there in the first place. The trip begins in Kangerlussuaq, located inland in central-west Greenland. This town, home to one of the island鈥檚 main international airports, has the only road in Greenland that connects to the ice sheet. It鈥檚 a potholed 15.5-mile route, with potential reindeer and musk ox sightings along the way.

A good base level of fitness is required for a Camp Ice Cap visit, as the hiking can be strenuous and requires a bit of agility on the ice. Albatros Arctic Circle provides tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, crampons, and food, but it鈥檚 up to you to pack warm-weather essentials: coats, gloves, hats, wool layers, headlamps, and, by all means, an extra pair of socks.

While You鈥檙e in Greenland

If a night at Camp Ice Cap whets your backcountry Greenland appetite, Kangerlussuaq has more where that came from. The town is connected to the island鈥檚 famed , a 100-mile thru-hike that runs from inland Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut on the west coast. Expect unspoiled tundra sprinkled with musk oxen and reindeer on this roughly ten-day trek.

Other Greenland Marvels

A quick 45-minute flight north from Kangerlussuaq will drop you in Ilulissat, home to the Unesco World Heritage site Ilulissat Icefjord. This 34-mile patchwork of icebergs, some 10 to 20 stories tall, stems from the Sermeq Kujalleq (also known as Jakobshavn Glacier), which runs from the Greenland ice sheet. It鈥檚 one of the world鈥檚 fastest-moving glaciers, and scientists believe it produced the fateful iceberg that struck the Titanic in 1912.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Riding the Star Train in Nevada鈥檚 Great Basin Desert

In the early 1900s, the Nevada Northern Railway put the remote town of Ely on the copper-mining map. More than a century later, the railway鈥檚 historic locomotives still tote riders into Nevada鈥檚 听pi帽on- and juniper-dotted Steptoe Valley鈥攁lthough visitors now come seeking a different sparkly prize: clear, bedazzled nightscapes. They鈥檒l find this rare bounty aboard the special-edition , which runs deep into the Great Basin Desert.

Up to 80 percent of Americans can鈥檛 see the Milky Way due to light pollution. The same can鈥檛 be said for those at the far-flung Great Basin, which covers much of Nevada. This 190,000-square-mile high-desert patchwork of sagebrush grasslands, rolling mountains, and broad valleys boasts some of the country鈥檚 darkest nightscapes. The Nevada Northern Railway, now a national historic landmark in Ely, roughly four hours north of Las Vegas by car, makes the most of the celestial entertainment via the Star Train, which departs around sunset on select Fridays between May and September.

As the desert transitions from honey-hued golden hour to coal black night, onboard rangers from nearby Great Basin National Park and railway staff share tidbits about the night-sky attractions that await. Once you鈥檝e reached your final destination鈥攁 private Great Basin viewing pad with high-powered telescopes鈥攔angers narrate the universe鈥檚 marvels, from Saturn鈥檚 iridescent rings to any stargazer鈥檚 beloved treasure, the glowing Milky Way.

The 国产吃瓜黑料: Hunting the Southern Lights in Australia

You鈥檝e heard of the northern lights, but did you know you can chase those sky fluorescents in the Southern Hemisphere, too? Spotting these elusive green and violet streaks, known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, requires a bit of luck. Like the northern lights in the Arctic, southern-lights sightings are most frequent over Antarctica. But the Antarctica travel season鈥攕ummer鈥攃oincides with the all-hours midnight sun. What鈥檚 an aurora hunter to do?

Head to Tasmania, a landmass better positioned for aurora sightings than virtually anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere, excluding the White Continent. Its aurora potential has to do with its geographic position and the mechanism through which auroras occur.

During solar storms, the sun flings charged particles into space. When the protons and electrons reach earth, they congregate near the north and south geomagnetic poles, then react with the atmosphere to create ribbons of green, purple, red, or blue. Typically, the lights appear over far north or far south stretches of earth such as Iceland or Antarctica, but when a solar storm is strong enough, you can catch them farther in toward the equator. Tasmania, situated close to the south geomagnetic pole, is one of the hemisphere鈥檚 most reliable perches.

鈥淲e have no landmass in the Southern Ocean that corresponds with Norway or Iceland,鈥� says Tasmania-based Margaret Sonnemann, author of . In the Arctic or Antarctica, where the charged particles collide with the atmosphere in the skies above, you can see the reaction鈥攖he auroras鈥攕traight overhead. In Tasmania, you鈥檒l typically admire the show from a distance, roughly between 45 to 60 degrees on the horizon.

This vantage point offers a unique perspective. When the lights are overhead, green colors are the most noticeable, says Sonnemann. 鈥淪ide on, you see the layers of color.鈥�

Given Tasmania鈥檚 pristine night skies, you can spot these colorful night swirls all over the island. Look for a panorama with minimal obstructions to the southern horizon; the northern banks of a large lake looking south, or the island鈥檚 southern coast looking out to sea, are ideal.

Some tried-and-true Tasmania aurora spots include Goat Bluff Lookout on the South Arm Peninsula, Carlton Beach, Tinderbox Bay, and the . For a southern lights鈥揻riendly hotel, try , which has minimal light pollution and unobstructed south-facing views across Lake Pedder. Hit Taroona Beach, south of Hobart, during the warmer months to catch a thrilling after-dark duo: auroras snaking across the sky as electric blue bioluminescence pulses across the water.

One advantage of Tasmania aurora hunting: you can catch the lights year-round. Tasmania experiences nighttime darkness in every season. Though you鈥檒l have more hours of potential aurora displays in the darker winter, you could snag a stellar show on a warm summer night.

Fast Aurora Facts

The hue of an aurora depends on where the sun鈥檚 charged particles collide with earth鈥檚 atmosphere. Red auroras hit at the ionosphere, around 150 miles high. Green streaks occur in a mildly dense stretch of the atmosphere, roughly 60 to 150 miles from the ground. The rarer purple hues appear when the reaction strikes in our thick lower atmosphere, about 60 miles above earth鈥檚 surface.

Stephanie Vermillion is a travel and adventure journalist with a particular interest in after-dark adventures, from the wonders of the night sky to the nocturnal happenings on planet earth. She recently wrote about how to take great aurora photos on an iPhone.

100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark, by Stephanie Vermillion

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