Visitors frequently ask "When can I see X". While many thousands of individual objects are visible throughout the year, most people want more general answers (e.g. When Can I see Andromeda {our nearest galaxy}) or are asking about the planets.
The following table is broken into lunations which agrees with how we schedule programs.
The table shows for each program which planets are visible. 2024 holds the promise of several bright comets. It also shows what kind of dark sky objects can be seen. These are described in more detail below
Note that on 1st quarter moon nights deep sky objects may not be visible. On these nights we are less strict about the use of lights and enough moon light is usually visible to cast shadows. If you have any concerns about your night vision please visit us on a 1st quarter night. All other nights are considered dark nights as described in tips
Weeks marked "new'ish" will start with a less than 1st quarter moon which will set before 11PM. Deep Sky objects are more likely visible than on 1st quarter nights.
| Date | Moon Phase | dark sky | Planets | Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar | no programs | |||
| Apr 13 | 1st | Jupiter (at sunset) | Maybe comet 12P/Pons-Brooks at sunset |
|
| Apr 27 | 3rd | galaxies, globular clusters | Jupiter (at sunset) | |
| May 4 | new | galaxies, globular clusters | ||
| May 11 | 1st | moon | ||
| Jun 1 | new | galaxies, globular clusters, Milky Way(late) | maybe comet 13P/Olbers in NW at sunset | |
| Jun 8 | newish | galaxies, globular clusters, Milky Way(late) | moon | maybe comet 13P/Olbers in NW at sunset |
| Jun 15 | 1st | moon | ||
| Jun 29 | 3rd | galaxies, globular clusters, Milky Way | Mercury, Venus | maybe comet C/2023 A3 and/or 13P/Olbers after sunset |
| Jul 6 | newish | Milky Way | Mercury, Venus, moon | maybe comet C/2023 A3 and/or 13P/Olbers after sunset |
| Jul 13 | 1st | Mercury, Venus, moon | ||
| Jul 27 | 3rd | Milky Way | Mercury, Venus, Saturn(late) | maybe comet 13P/Olbers after sunset |
| Aug 3 | new | Milky Way | Mercury, Venus, Saturn (late) | maybe comet 13P/Olbers after sunset |
| Aug 10 | 1st | Venus, moon, Saturn (late) | early Perseids | |
| Aug 12 | Area Closed to Visitors | |||
| Aug 24 | Closed for Special Event | |||
| Aug 31 | new | Milky Way, Andromeda | Venus, Saturn, Neptune | |
| Sep 7 | newish | Milky Way, Andromeda | Venus, moon, Saturn, Neptune | |
| Sep 21 | 3rd | Milky Way,Andromeda | Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter(late) | |
| Sept 28 | new | Andromeda, globular clusters | Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus(late), Jupiter(late) | |
| Oct 5 | newish |
Andromeda, globular clusters |
moon, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter(late) | |
| Oct 12 | 1st |
moon, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter(late) | comet C/2003 A3 (sunset) | |
| Oct 26 |
3rd | Andromeda, globular clusters | Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter(late) | comet C/2003 A3 (sunset) |
Rather than listing each visible object we have chosen to identify some generic objects. Most of the objects viewed will be from the Messier list.
FPOA has returned in in person lectures. As a supplement to our lecture we also present safety and information on how best to make use of the telescopes. The supplement will vary depending on what is up in the sky, but you can see the various lectures here.
Be sure to also watch our Video Tour as that contains some important safety information.
One would think easy - just look in the eyepiece; however, experienced visual observers such as those in our programs know that you need to be aware of some tricks as shown in this short video
Getting the most out of your viewing of Deep Sky Objects requires working around the limitations of your eyes. This short video will teach you some tricks.