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 , 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 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 .

The post 9 Brilliant Astronomy Events to Be Sure to See This Year appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

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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The post The Year鈥檚 Best Planet Parade Will Be Visible Starting January 18 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, , 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 . 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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The only thing better than waking up in a mountain town is overnighting within minutes of the destination鈥檚 best trails, waterways, and ski runs鈥攁nd I learned this firsthand on a June 2024 Alaskan getaway. I鈥檇 spent several weeks hopping between national parks, including bear watching in Lake Clark and . I wasn鈥檛 ready for the adventure to end, and a stay at the new Chugach State Park-adjacent instead of downtown Anchorage, meant it didn鈥檛 have to.

I spent the 48 hours before my homebound flight strolling the property鈥檚 trails, hiking the Chugach-view loop around nearby Eklutna Lake, and crossing off an exciting wildlife spotting: the trip鈥檚 first black bear.

That鈥檚 just the start of this list鈥檚 adventure-centered digs. I scoured Airbnb for other incredible stays in the nation’s beloved mountain towns, from a waterfront abode in my lucky lower 48 aurora-hunting perch鈥擬ichigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula鈥攖o a postcard-worthy A-frame in my favorite fall hiking spot, the Adirondacks. Here are 12 can鈥檛-miss mountain-town Airbnb homes to add to your bucket list.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Watch Stars Shimmer Above the Chisos in Terlingua, Texas

From this dramatic Stardust Big Bend Luxury A-frame, you鈥檒l be within minutes of Terlingua鈥檚 old-western ghost town, not to mention the Maverick entrance to Big Bend National Park. But the cabin鈥檚 dramatic Chihuahuan desert surroundings, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook it, make it hard to leave the property. Watch from bed as the rising sun paints the Chisos peaks hues of pink and peach, or relax on the spacious deck or hammock as the desert transitions from golden hour to star-speckled night鈥攁 signature of the region鈥檚 enormous Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Your hangout is one of 11 cabins on the property, and it feels like a home away from home with a full kitchen, one bedroom, two beds, and one bathroom, for up to four guests. Meet your neighbors in the community game room, but note, pets are not allowed.

Squeeze in Ample 国产吃瓜黑料 Within One Hour of Anchorage Airport, Alaska

This handicap-accessible cabin is part of BlueWater Basecamp, a new collection of eight Scandinavian-style abodes set near Alaska鈥檚 Chugach State Park and roughly one hour from the Anchorage International Airport. With this proximity, you can spend your final days in Alaska hiking, biking, and wildlife watching instead of bopping between Anchorage gift shops. Teal-tinged Eklutna Lake, for example, is mere minutes from the property, with guided paddle trips and a 12-mile dirt loop around the water for biking and hiking. Wildlife such as moose and black bears are known to inhabit the area, and they may even stop by BlueWater BaseCamp for a porch safari. The pet-friendly property has three styles of abodes, including the handicap-accessible deluxe mountain cabin with room for up to six guests with two bedrooms, three beds, and one bathroom, as well as a full kitchen鈥攁 necessity given that the nearest main towns, Palmer and Eagle River, are 30 minutes away.听

Stay in a Taos Earthship Within Minutes of Stunning, Uncrowded Trails in New Mexico

This eye-popping Taos Mesa Studio Earthship is more than a place to rest your head. It鈥檚 a lesson in sustainable housing, with an off-grid design built to catch rainwater and generate its own electricity鈥攁ll while staying 72 degrees throughout the year, even on chilly desert nights. The Earthship lies 10 minutes from the , an eight-mile out-and-back route that overlooks the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument鈥檚 plains and peaks, with parallel views of the 800-feet-deep Taos gorge. Your one-bedroom, one-bathroom Earthship can welcome up to four guests thanks to a cozy, convertible daybed. Pets are welcome with a $50 fee, and the home comes with a full kitchen.

Snooze in a Snow Globe After Hitting the Breckenridge, Colorado Slopes

Enjoy endless fresh air among the Pike National Forest pines at The Deck at Quandary Peak, which allows for up to three guests. This backcountry Breckenridge home, which becomes its own glorified snow globe each winter, overlooks the Tenmile range鈥檚 highest peak, Mount Quandary. You鈥檒l have quick access to the Breck ski lift and town center within 15 minutes. The cabin, with its hygge-inspired aesthetic, includes one bedroom with two beds, one bathroom, and a full kitchen. Relax among the conifers on the fairy-light-adorned deck, or nap by the cozy indoor fireplace after a long day on the slopes. You鈥檒l need a 4WD vehicle to reach the home, and tire chains are required for winter visit. Pets are not allowed.

Overnight Beside a New York Adirondacks Lake鈥擪ayaks Included

New York鈥檚 Adirondack Park is a four-season getaway, and few overnights immerse you in the changing landscape like this picturesque Lakefront A-frame Cabin on Stoner Lakes. Enjoy the mirror-still water from the fire ring, or hop aboard the kayaks that come with the property for a scenic paddle. The mountain town of Caroga Lake, set in the Adirondack foothills, is a 15-minute drive south. Head there for , fishing, or snowmobiling. Or, travel 10 minutes north of your cabin to tackle the steep 3.5-mile out-and-back up Good Luck Mountain. Royal Mountain Ski Area鈥檚 13 trails are a short 20 minutes south of you, too. Up to six guests (and pets) can enjoy this two-bedroom, three-bed, and one-bath getaway. (Note: this is a three-night minimum stay.)

Catch Shut-Eye in a Treehouse Near Park City, Utah鈥檚 Best Runs

Park City鈥檚 Dreamy Living Cabin puts the 鈥渢ree鈥� in treehouse, with a 200-year-old fir jutting up through its airy wood-paneled interior. The getaway, which glows with natural light from the 270-degree glass windows, sits at 8,000 feet elevation. It鈥檚 just north of the protected woodlands, where hiking trails give travelers the chance to spot moose, porcupines, and eagles. Park City downtown and its many ski hangouts, such as , lie roughly 30 minutes south of your stay. The property is also less than one hour from the Salt Lake City Airport. It鈥檚 a great getaway for two, with one bedroom, one bathroom, a full kitchen, and a large deck that overlooks the soaring Uintas. Pets are not allowed. (Note: this is a two-night minimum stay.)

Doze Beneath the Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming鈥檚 Dreamy Geodesic Domes

A sprinkling of 11 heated geodesic dwellings, known as Tammah Jackson Hole Domes, plunge guests into Wyoming鈥檚 jaw-dropping wilderness, with views of the jagged Tetons best enjoyed from your cozy king-sized bed. Overnights at this Airbnb include free breakfast, in-dome telescopes, and ensuite bathrooms. The property also has a shared sauna and firepit鈥攖he perfect way to share stories after a in Grand Teton National Park; its Granite Canyon entrance is five minutes north by car. For skiing and snowboarding, is also a five-minute drive away. Each 540-square-foot dome fits two guests maximum; pets are welcome.

Overnight in a Grain Silo in Kalispell, Montana

Add some farm feels to your mountain-town escape by sleeping in a converted grain silo with views of Montana鈥檚 peak-laden Flathead Valley. These metal accommodations have it all: a kitchenette, loft bedroom, two beds, and one bathroom, not to mention an outdoor fire pit for watching the Rocky Mountain landscape change from blue-sky day to gold-tinged dusk. Don鈥檛 head to sleep early on the star-splashed night skies, either. Start the day with a stroll along the 80-acre farm鈥檚 walking trails, or, when the powder hits, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing the farm routes. Glacier National Park is a 30-minute drive north, while 3,000 skiable acres are around 50 minutes northwest. Downtown Kalispell鈥檚 delicious breweries are a 10-minute drive from your silo. Pets are not allowed.

Crash Beside the Tennessee River in This Cozy Chattanooga Cabin with a Watchtower

Soak up the Tennessee River Gorge鈥檚 grandeur from a pet-friendly waterfront cabin in the heart of this dramatic river canyon. The two-bedroom, five-bed, and one-bathroom Chattanooga-adjacent house can welcome up to eight guests with plenty of water adventures onsite, from angling on the Tennessee riverbank to paddling with the property鈥檚 rentable kayaks. Climb the cabin鈥檚 scenic watchtower to scout for wildlife like ospreys, bald eagles, and deer, or catch more flora and fauna from the nearby hiking jaunts, including six-mile out-and-back Snoopers Rock Trail, roughly a 30-minute drive away. Snag a view of the 100-foot-tall Julia Falls roughly 20 minutes to the east; it鈥檚 among the most scenic stops on the over 300-mile .

Bunk-Up Near Trailheads and Slopes in Picturesque Stowe, Vermont

Sleep within steps of your hiking path at the Cady Hill Trail House, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guesthouse in the quintessential New England town of Stowe, Vermont. The two-guest home, complete with a full kitchen, is surrounded by the charming , home to over 11 miles of trails鈥攁nd a profusion of color when the leaves change each fall. Stowe鈥檚 many breweries, cafes, and restaurants are just five minutes away; the 116 ski trails at are within 10 minutes driving, too. Guest have ample outdoor space to store gear like bikes, skis, and snowshoes. In addition to ambles, the Cady Hill trail network welcomes skiers, snowshoers, and mountain bikers depending on the season. Pets are not allowed. (Note: this is a two-night minimum stay.)

Sleep in a South Dakota Firetower Near Mount Rushmore

Play fire lookout for a night鈥攐r week鈥攆rom this firetower-inspired getaway within minutes of South Dakota鈥檚 Custer State Park, where bison now abound. An array of park trails are within a 25-minute drive of your tower, including , which weaves by dramatic van-sized boulders for three miles, or the take the route up , South Dakota鈥檚 highest point. Cross Mount Rushmore off your bucket list while you鈥檙e here; it鈥檚 30 minutes northeast by car. This one-bedroom, 1.5-bath tower, built for two guests, comes with a full kitchen, wrap-around deck, and a common area with a firepit and yard games. Pets are not allowed.

Catch Zzzs After Watching for Northern Lights Near Michigan鈥檚 Porcupine Mountains

One of Michigan鈥檚 best-kept secrets, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (better known as the Porkies), lies within 15 minutes of this Lake Superior Beach House鈥攁 two-bedroom and two-bath abode with a full kitchen and sweeping turquoise water views. The Porkies offer all sorts of Great Lakes adventures: ascending the world鈥檚 tallest artificial ski jump, ; fishing or taking a dip in the photogenic Lake of the Clouds; or schlepping up the steep half-mile route to the , which offers views as far as Isle Royale National Park on a clear day. Back at the cabin, relax by the indoor fireplace or hang outside after dusk to watch for one of the Upper Peninsula鈥檚 greatest treats: the aurora borealis. Select pets are allowed upon request. (Note: this is a four-night minimum stay.)

Want more of 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 travel stories? .

When she鈥檚 not staying in cool places around the world, adventure and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion chases comets and northern lights, and hunts the best stargazing in dark sky zones. Her upcoming book will be out December 3.

The post The 12 Coziest Mountain-Town Airbnbs in the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

From strong northern lights to a historic total solar eclipse, 2024 has been quite a year for sky watchers鈥攁nd it鈥檚 not over. Starting Friday evening, a bright comet predicted to be visible to the naked eye will treat stargazers across the northern hemisphere. It was last seen 80,000 years ago, during the time of Neanderthals, and it likely won鈥檛 swing by earth again for another听 80,000 years.

According to space scientists, Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or Comet C/2023 A3, is the most impressive space sight of its kind to dazzle our skies since comet Neowise in 2020. That it also might be visible to the naked eye is 鈥渜uite rare,鈥� says Matt Hjelle, spokesperson for the stargazing app . 鈥淥n average, you get a comet of this brightness roughly once in a decade.鈥�

I鈥檝e already scouted numerous viewpoints to watch and capture this spectacle with friends when it reaches its brightest point in the U.S. this weekend. Since it should remain easily visible through mid-October鈥攁nd even later into the month with a telescope or binoculars鈥擨鈥檓 hoping to admire it from multiple vantage points over the next few weeks. Read on for tips on how and when to find comet A3 in your part of the country, plus picturesque perches to admire it.

When to See Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, or C/2023 A3, from the U.S.

This massive heap of dust, frozen gases, and rock, which calls a 鈥渃osmic snowball,鈥� is blasting toward earth from the edge of our solar system, and on October 11 it will reappear in the early-evening sky. It will be closest to earth鈥攑assing by our planet at a distance of some 44 million miles鈥攐n October 12. So on Saturday, look to the western horizon right after sunset to spot it. Don鈥檛 dilly-dally: because the comet鈥檚 location is so low, it will 鈥渟et鈥� about 30 minutes after the sun.

Fortunately, A3 will continue to climb in the sky throughout the month and into early November, setting around 20 minutes later each night, according to . From October 13 to 19, A3 is expected to remain brilliant, resulting in optimal viewing if clear-weather conditions hold where you are. In the days that follow, it will increasingly fade and you鈥檒l need binoculars or a telescope to best admire it.

Comets are tough to predict鈥攖hey鈥檙e light-years away, and therefore we know little about their composition, which affects brightness鈥� so we won鈥檛 know exactly how intense A3 will be until it reappears in our sky. Optimistic astronomy buffs it could be as luminous as Jupiter. Others its radiance will be more in line with 2020鈥檚 comet Neowise, which was also visible to the naked eye and had a glow similar to the North Star. One feature to look for is its sweeping dust tail.

But even by modest predictions, signs look promising for A3 to become the comet of the year, if not decade. In fact, you likely won鈥檛 need to travel far, if at all, from a city to see it, says Hjelle. 鈥淟ight pollution will play a factor, but if the brightness estimates play out, even many light-polluted areas are going to get a reasonably good view.鈥�

Incredibly, on September 27, astronomers in Hawaii discovered that another comet, known as Comet C/2024 S1 (ATLAS), could be visible to northern-hemisphere stargazers at the end of October鈥攁nd it may outshine A3 if it survives its passage by the sun. 鈥淚f all goes as well as the most optimistic estimates, this comet could be visible to the naked eye during the daytime around [October] 28th,鈥� Hjelle says. That鈥檚 big news, because only nine comets have been bright enough for daytime visibility in the past 300 years.

For now, let鈥檚 keep our sights on A3. Here鈥檚 where I suggest viewing it from the various regions of the U.S.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

The Best Places to Watch Comet A3 in Your Region

First and foremost: find a lookout with clear, unobstructed views of the western horizon, particularly during the comet鈥檚 initial streak across our sky this weekend, when A3 will be hovering just above it.

I spent hours scouting Google Earth and thinking about my favorite sunset viewpoints from my own past travels to find the most scenic, geographically dispersed, unobstructed west-facing comet A3 viewpoints in every region to ensure you don鈥檛 miss this once-in-a-lifetime show.

New England

Head Here: The Colchester Causeway near Burlington, Vermont

The 2.5-mile crosses Lake Champlain to link Causeway Park (nine miles north of Burlington) to the town of South Hero. The gravel route, enjoyed via bike or on foot, offers sweeping panoramas, including near perfect west-facing views with only distant Adirondack peaks on the horizon. The farther north you head on the causeway, the better and more unobstructed the west-facing scenery. Note that the route terminates just before South Hero, and the seasonal across the water and into town is only available in the daytime, so you鈥檒l have to head back the way you came.

Or Here: Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown, Massachusetts

The western stretch of , a 40-mile swath of sandy beaches, heather-dotted dunes, and quiet marshes will also offer fantastic views of the comet. Try Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet or Herring Cove Beach near Provincetown鈥檚 West End. Since October is outside of high season, parking and entry to most national seashore beaches is free. Even better: the national seashore鈥檚 beaches are open from 6 A.M. to midnight, which means you can catch the comet, then peer southwest into the Milky Way鈥檚 vibrant core, also best viewed in .

Mid-Atlantic

Head Here: West Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey

New Jersey鈥檚 southernmost tip allures summer shore-goers with its rainbow of colorful Victorian homes and powdery sands. This month, its western side will offer some of the region鈥檚 best comet views, too. Try Pearl Beach or Sunset Beach for unobstructed western-horizon overlooks. During the day, don鈥檛 miss the 鈥攖he return of the migrating raptors鈥攚hich runs through November 30. It鈥檚 best enjoyed at Hawk Watch Observation Platform. Entrance is free.

Or Here: The Edge in New York City

The majority of west-facing waterfront parks and perches in New York State close at sunset, but in city that never sleeps, sky watchers will have excellent views from on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, especially if brightness predictions hold. Located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, The Edge is the western hemisphere鈥檚 highest outdoor observation deck, with glass-walled 360-degree views of the metro area. It鈥檚 open daily until 9 P.M. Imagine watching A3 soar above the Hudson River and New Jersey. I suggest getting there with enough time to watch the sun set and the comet appear; since golden hour is prime visiting time, get your tickets in advance. From $40

The South

Head Here: Mount Magazine State Park in Paris, Arkansas

Western Arkansas鈥檚 is a popular rock-climbing destination. And this month, the soaring crag delivers top-notch comet watching, too. Vistas atop 2,753-foot Mount Magazine, the state鈥檚 highest point, may be obstructed by trees, but its Cameron Bluff Amphitheater offers a clear western-horizon vantage point, as do a few portions of the Cameron Bluff Recreation Area. Drive up solely for sunset and comet watching鈥攖he park closes at 10 P.M.鈥攐r make an evening of it with an early feast of Southern fare at , which overlooks the Petit Jean River Valley. It鈥檚 part of the Mount Magazine Lodge and just a mile stroll from the amphitheater (from $153). Entrance to the state park is free.

Or Here: Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans

If you鈥檙e headed here Saturday, why not spend the entire day outdoors making the most of Lake Pontchartrain, perhaps fishing for bass and catfish (both a basic and saltwater fishing license are required) or watching for larger wildlife, such as sharks and manatees. When dusk descends, head to the 2,800-acre , which remains open to the public until 9 P.M. Or elevate your interstellar fun with a stay in the park鈥檚 lakefront cabins; the west-facing abodes reopened this fall after years of repairs following Hurricane Ida (from $150). is also available less than a mile from the waterfront (from $18). And if you鈥檙e planning on ending the day with stargazing before heading home, your best bet might be at , 28 miles south, where you can admire the cosmos until 11 P.M.

The Midwest

Head Here: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Glen Arbor and Empire, Michigan

Unobstructed west-facing comet views abound along the world鈥檚 largest freshwater dune system, . The national lakeshore boasts 65 shorefront miles, with , dune climbs, and scenic drives鈥攁nd it鈥檚 all open well past dark. (In fact, the park starlit visits.) Try the 1.5-mile round-trip for pristine Lake Michigan lookout points, or make a workout out of it with the 3.5-mile round-trip , which climbs up and over the steep sand mounds to reach another waterfront comet vista. is a more accessible option, with numerous scenic stop-offs. While the comet is the main act, keep your eyes peeled north for a glimpse of lower 48 northern lights, which could make a surprise appearance. Park entrance is $25, or use your America the Beautiful Pass.

Or Here: Badlands National Park in Wall, South Dakota

View this month鈥檚 magical space sighting from a lookout that鈥檚 equally otherworldly: Badlands National Park. A handful of its west-facing vantage points provide the chance to watch the comet above a patchwork of surreal buttes, spires, and pinnacles. Try the sweeping , where the striated rhyolite sprawls to the western horizon. Just south of that is the , where you can gaze across a patchwork of yellow and blush-tinged badlands. The park is open 24 hours. Admission starts at $15 or use your America the Beautiful Pass.

The Southwest

Head Here: Antelope Island State Park in Layton, Utah

wows by day with hundreds of free-ranging bison, millions of birds, and that take in the Great Salt Lake. Nighttime turns the 28,240-acre island鈥攁 DarkSky International鈥揷ertified park鈥攊nto a starry oasis, with a host of west-looking posts to admire the comet of the year. the half-mile out-and-back Lady Finger Point Trail for quick access to a lovely viewpoint, or meander along the largely west-facing and six-mile-roundt-rip Lakeside Trail. You can also catch A3 with the experts during the with the Ogden Astronomical Society, which begins at 6 P.M. at the White Rock Bay event area. The state park is open from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. daily, with multiple (from $20). Admission from $15

Or Here: Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans, Texas

Enjoy a sea of sand dunes, and some of Texas鈥檚 least obstructed west-facing lookouts, at , not far from the Texas鈥揘ew Mexico border. The park sprawls across 3,840 acres, with dunes soaring up to 70 feet and no marked trails. To see the comet, climb up a tall dune and look west as the sun paints the expanse sherbet-like shades of pink and peach鈥攁 gorgeous opening act for the luminous comet. The park remains open until 10 P.M., but given its popularity, are recommended (from $4). are available near the park entrance from $15 per night.

The West

Head Here: Newport Beach, California

If you live on the Pacific coast, you鈥檝e got the pick of the litter when it comes to west-facing views. The only issue could be the coast鈥檚 signature clouds and fog. So try sunny Newport Beach, in Orange County, which enjoys some of SoCal鈥檚 clearest skies, plus shorelines and piers that stay . The city鈥檚 namesake beach, for example, offers west-facing lookouts with a waterfront open until 10 P.M. The piers that bookend the shore, Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier, both look straight toward the comet and remain open until midnight. Another option is the 30-acre Corona del mar State Beach Park, which is free and open until 10 P.M.

Or Here: Lake Butte Overlook in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

It鈥檚 trickier to find unobstructed views for comet watching in the country鈥檚 peak-laden Mountain West鈥攂ut not impossible. Try the in less-trodden eastern Yellowstone, 70 miles west of Cody. Set above the enormous Yellowstone Lake, you鈥檒l have open views toward the direction of the comet, with the distant Teton peaks to the southwest. Yellowstone welcomes guests around the clock, and the east entrance from Cody is scheduled to remain until October 31. Admission starts at $20 or use your America the Beautiful Pass.

国产吃瓜黑料 and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion chased 2020鈥檚 comet Neowise in Voyageurs National Park, and hopes to get another national-park sighting under her belt by catching comet A3 in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, this month. Her upcoming book will be out December 3.

The post You Can See the Comet of the Year Starting Friday Night appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

My iPhone has always been my aurora-hunting sidekick. For over five years, I鈥檝e used it to monitor northern-lights activity around the globe, from fjords in Greenland to my local lakefront park in Cleveland. I鈥檝e been blown away by its capabilities.

Heightened aurora visibility in the lower 48 is expected to continue through 2025鈥攁 phenomenon that we have the current solar maximum to thank鈥攁nd my info will help you capture dazzling iPhone images the next time the northern lights appear. To increase your aurora-sighting odds, check out my guide to northern-lights watching in the U.S. first; once you鈥檙e in the best location, start shooting the skies with my step-by-step tips below.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

What Makes the Newer iPhones Great for Nighttime Photography

My history of photographing nightscapes with the iPhone camera has evolved since my early aurora-hunting days. Initially, I used it to follow space-weather apps and log test pics to determine the likelihood of a strong aurora display鈥攁 great trick. Cameras on even the older iPhone models are more sensitive to light than our eyes; they can pick up faint green hues, a sign that I鈥檝e found means stronger displays could be on the horizon.

Once I caught sight of the lights, I鈥檇 stash my phone and turn to my professional Sony Alpha cameras to capture the show. That changed once I upgraded to the iPhone 15 Pro Max (from $1,100) for its powerful camera, impressive video specs, and low-light capabilities.听The powerful new iPhone 16 Pro Max camera听looks even more promising.

To be clear, the latest iPhones won鈥檛 capture northern-lights photos as well as, say, my . Yet built-in features like night mode let hobbyist aurora photographers log sharp and colorful night images once reserved for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Additionally, my iPhone aurora snaps are great for sharing in-the-moment sightings on social media.

When Apple introduced night mode in 2019, it was a game changer. The feature, available on iPhone 11 models and other newer iterations, enables long-exposure photography in low-light conditions. I noticed a major jump in the quality of nighttime images with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

With these iPhone versions, night mode automatically activates and slows the shutter speed to anywhere from three to ten seconds in dark settings. Shutter-speed versatility is key. A longer shutter speed lets in more light to properly expose nighttime or minimally illuminated scenes. There is a catch, though: even the slightest handshake during those exposure seconds can blur the image. So I鈥檓 going to recommend a few pieces of inexpensive gear to invest in if you鈥檙e planning to spend time and energy in this pursuit.

Gear That Will Enhance Night Shots

Buy a tripod or some sort of steadying device to stabilize your iPhone when snapping long exposures. I use a smartphone tripod, either a if you鈥檙e not traveling far and suitcase space isn鈥檛 an issue, or a more portable one like the above if I鈥檓 only packing carry-ons.

That said, I love to make my own backcountry tripod, whether it鈥檚 propping my camera up in the heel of a shoe for a vertical aurora photo or tilting it up against a water bottle for a better angle.

Another worthy addition to your iPhone aurora-photography kit is a portable power bank. I like this handy one from . Long-exposure photos, cold temperatures, and refreshing aurora apps like can quickly wipe your phone鈥檚 built-in battery. While I don鈥檛 need a power bank on shorter chases, it鈥檚 a must-have during six- or seven-hour sessions. I usually plug into it about halfway through a long aurora night. Note: Per , you鈥檒l need to pack this power bank in your carry-on since it contains lithium batteries.

Where to Chase the Northern Lights for the Most Incredible Shots

For the best odds, head north鈥攅ither to a high-latitude locale like Iceland and Alaska or states along the Canada border, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Montana.

Also important: look for a dark-sky setting with minimal light pollution and relatively open skies toward the northern horizon, where the colors tend to appear.

How to Get the Best Photograph of the Northern Lights with an iPhone

You have two options for capturing auroras with an iPhone: either use the built-in camera or download an astrophotography app. In this guide, I鈥檒l focus on the former, but I do recommend a versatile night-photography app like ($3) for those who crave more experimentation or for those with smartphones lacking the manual settings featured below.

Step 1: Take Test Shots

I kick off my aurora hunts by intermittently photographing the sky with my iPhone, which is more sensitive to light and auroras than the naked eye, to see if and where the lights may appear. In my experience, the ribbons start faintly, then pick up in intensity after anywhere from a few minutes to a half-hour or longer (or sometimes not at all鈥攅ach show is different). I monitor the movements of those first few streaks and then angle my gear accordingly.

Generally, northern lights dance from east to west, according to the , although on particularly powerful nights, the ribbons may sashay in all directions, including overhead.

Step 2: Use a Tripod

If it鈥檚 not already set up, mount your iPhone to a tripod and point it in the direction of the swirls. Make sure your stand is somewhere sturdy and steady; with long-exposure photos, even a light vibration (such as the roof of a running car) can make the shot blurry.

While a tall tripod provides the most flexibility for preparing your shot, you can still make that short, more portable tripod option work if you get creative. I typically prop it on something stationary and out of the way of other aurora hunters, including a park bench, a sign, or a (closed-lid) trash can.

Step 3: Compose Your Photo

While scene setting isn鈥檛 essential, composition is among the quickest and easiest ways to level up your aurora photography. Instead of simply photographing skyward, try to get some foreground interest in your shots. I like to include my surroundings, such as the auroras above my rental car for road-trip vibes, or the lights above a grove of pines to illustrate a northern-forest backdrop. This works particularly well with bodies of water for that reflective glow, too.

Step 4: Photograph with the 1x Lens

The iPhone鈥檚 ultrawide-angle and telephoto lenses may work well by day, but the default 1x 鈥減hoto鈥� lens has the best night-sky capabilities. You can technically use night mode with the portrait option, but this is better reserved for street scenes or nights out on the town, not aurora landscape images.

Step 5: Adjust Your Shutter Speed in Night Mode

As previously mentioned, when your iPhone recognizes you鈥檙e about to shoot in the dark, night mode will automatically activate. Look for the crescent-moon icon on the top left of your screen to confirm it鈥檚 on.

Stick with the recommended shutter speed or, better yet, adjust it yourself. To change it, tap the small center-screen arrow to the right of the crescent-moon icon; this opens a menu at the bottom of the screen where you can change settings like shutter speed (via the matching crsecent-moon icon in the bottom menu).

I recommend manually setting your shutter to around ten seconds, then taking a test shot and making small adjustments up or down. Generally, when the northern lights are fainter, you want a longer exposure to let in more light and auroral movement.

When the iPhone detects it鈥檚 on a stabilized tripod, you can even set your shutter to 30 seconds to capture more light. (But note that these longer 30-second shutters can make stars appear streaky, due to the earth鈥檚 rotation.)

If the lights are powerful and moving quickly, aim for a faster shutter speed, like three to five seconds. If you leave the shutter open too long during powerful storms, you鈥檒l end up with a big green blob instead of distinct pillars and ribbons.

Step 6: Fine-Tune Exposure

You won鈥檛 always need to play with exposure, but it can improve trickier lighting situations, such as a sidewalk with strong street lights or a snowy field reflecting moonlight. To control exposure, click that same top arrow beside the crescent-moond icon to access exposure settings (marked by a circle with plus and minus symbols).

Go left into the negative numbers when the scene is too bright; go right into the positive numbers when you need to lighten the shot. Continue to take test snaps and play around with your settings to find the right formula. Since exposure needs depend more on your surroundings than aurora activity, you can make these tweaks while waiting for the northern lights to appear.

Step 7: Turn Off Your Flash

Your flash should automatically turn off in night mode, but if it activates for some reason, click the lightning symbol on the top left of your screen to ensure the circle is slashed (signaling that it鈥檚 off).

Step 8: Enable RAW Mode

RAW images record more detail than JPEGs; this image format (just as the name implies, raw and unprocessed) lets you adjust exposure and pull out colors when it鈥檚 time to edit.

According to Apple, devices with iOS 14.3 or later, and the iPhone 12 Pro and newer models, come with ProRAW format (Apple鈥檚 version of RAW). You can edit these images directly in your iPhone鈥檚 photo app or in a more professional-level mobile-editing software like my go-to, the (which is free to download and use on JPEG images, but costs $10 and up for the subscription required for RAW editing). To enable RAW when photographing, tap the 鈥淩AW MAX鈥� white letters on the top right of your screen.

Step 9: Set a Self-Timer

When taking a long-exposure shot, any sort of movement, even hitting the shutter button, can introduce shake that will blur the photo. To avoid this, I use the three-second self-timer option to ensure my touch doesn鈥檛 introduce unwanted motion.

You can access self-timer mode the same way you find exposure and shutter-speed options: hit the top-menu arrow to the right of the crescent-moon icon, then peruse the bottom menu for a timer icon.

Step 10: Test, Adjust, Then Preserve Your Settings

Play around with your adjustments to determine what works best for your specific scene, then save your settings so you don鈥檛 lose all your fine-tuning when you click out of the camera app to monitor aurora apps or forecasts.

To save your adjustments, head to settings, then camera, then preserve settings. Click the slider button to save adjustments like camera selection, exposure, and night mode so your iPhone鈥檚 ready to log more dreamy northern-lights shots when you click back into the photo app.

国产吃瓜黑料 and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion has spent many sleepless nights chasing the northern lights and in remote far-flung locales, including Greenland sheep farms. Her upcoming book will be out December 3.

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I never expected to destress from double-postponing my wedding by staring into space, yet there I was, spying on the heavens from my backyard in light-polluted Cleveland for the umpteenth night in a row.

鈥淭hat one鈥檚 Jupiter,鈥� I whispered to my dog, Harry, who鈥檇 come to expect this backyard astronomy ritual. We were months into the pandemic and my now-husband, Frank, and I had spent the evening finalizing an email to alert friends and family that, yet again, we鈥檇 delayed our wedding due to spiking COVID-19 transmissions. Pairing this stress with the questionable status of my career鈥攈ow can I be a travel writer without, well, traveling?鈥攑lus Frank鈥檚 front-line emergency physician job had my stomach in neverending knots. But the tension slackened each night as I sprawled beneath the stars, letting my mind recall those old Astronomy 101 lessons from college鈥攑articularly the vastness of the universe, and just how tiny my problems felt within it.

While life has returned to normal, I still turn to the cosmos for stress relief today鈥攁nd I鈥檓 not the only one. Mindful stargazing, an activity that harnesses the mental health benefits of watching the night sky, is an emerging wellness practice. For instance, the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a facet of the International Astronomical Union that furthers the use of astronomy for sustainable development, mental health, and cultural preservation, funds numerous projects to bring astronomy鈥檚 therapeutic effects to vulnerable groups, such as refugees. In tourism, hotels from Iceland to the Maldives have adopted programming that harnesses these same benefits for wellness travelers.

鈥淲hen we feel stressed and anxious, physically our vision narrows; we get caught in our own problems, and they can feel very big,鈥� says Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist and Zen teacher who leads mindful stargazing retreats and in partnership with OAD.

Our pupils actually get wider when we look at the dark night sky. 鈥淲hen we look with wide eyes and connect with the stars, this gives you a broader perspective which helps us both physically and mentally relax,鈥� Westmoquette says.

As a self-identified 鈥渁strotourist,鈥� my idea of stargazing has long involved traveling to international dark sky places where a jewelry box of constellations, planets, and nebulae gives dramatic perspective on my small place in the universe. While these experiences, from scouting auroras from sheep farms in South Greenland to navigating grief听 beneath the Milky Way while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, will always be my favorite night-sky adventures, the pandemic opened my eyes to the healing power of mindful stargazing from my home city鈥攅ven if light pollution obscures all but a handful of stars and planets each night.

鈥淪eeing just one star and appreciating that听its light has traveled across the vastness of space for centuries just to meet your eye and be seen and known in this moment is magical,鈥� says Westmoquette. 鈥淏athing in the light of the moon and considering our relationship to it is something anyone can do.鈥�

How to Get into Backyard Astronomy

While some stargazers have created enviable at-home observatories, I keep my backyard astronomy simple. I grab a pair of binoculars, a towel, my iPhone, and (of course) my dog, then lie on the grass and stare at the sky鈥攕ometimes in search of curious space sights, other times to simply unwind beneath the stars. Here鈥檚 how to partake, too.

Find Bright Night-Sky Objects

If you live in or near a dark-sky place, consider yourself lucky. Light pollution plagues the majority of us; nearly of Northern Americans (like me) can鈥檛 see the Milky Way from their home. That said, we can see some objects, even in light-polluted skies. That鈥檚 where I focus my backyard astronomy sessions.

According to Matt Hjelle, marketing director for stargazing app Sky Safari, we can spot nearby planets and major stars, as well as deep-sky objects鈥攖hose outside the bounds of our solar system鈥攚ith the naked eye. This includes the Andromeda galaxy, Orion nebula, and Pleiades star cluster, depending on the season.

Download a Stargazing App

Locating these space marvels can take a bit of know-how, especially for beginners. I use Sky Safari, one of several sophisticated stargazing apps, with augmented reality to navigate what鈥檚 overhead. I also look to the future to bookmark exciting night-sky events鈥攍ike the conjunction of two planets, or a planetary parade (when multiple planets dot the sky on the same night).

Beyond navigating the night sky, I also use my stargazing app to learn more about the observable objects. For example, a deep dive into the visible Andromeda galaxy shares that this spiral wonder may collide with our home galaxy, the Milky Way, in several billion years. Clicking on Jupiter in my stargazing app tells me its diameter is 11 times larger than Earth鈥檚. Said differently: if we鈥檙e a nickel, this gas giant would be a basketball. It鈥檚 hard not to find grounding in this perspective.

Let Your Eyes Adjust to the Dark

The better your eyes are adjusted to the dark, which can take 20 to 30 minutes, the better you鈥檒l see the night sky. To stay tuned into the night, turn off your phone鈥攐r use 鈥攁nd shutter your outdoor lights. Many stargazing apps also offer a red-light mode, so you can learn about the sky wonders without compromising vision.

Unplug, Then Unwind

During some backyard astronomy nights, I use either the stargazing apps or NASA鈥檚 website (with red-light mode activated) to binge perspective-shifting intel鈥攍ike the fact our solar system is just one of the Milky Way galaxy鈥檚 nearly 4,000 known planetary systems. Other nights, particularly after stressful days, I ditch my phone and binoculars and let myself bathe in the magic overhead.

According to Westmoquette, this is the best way to enjoy stargazing鈥檚 mental health benefits. 鈥淲e need to put down the tech and put aside all the theories and concepts that wind us up and actually disconnect us from the present-moment experience,鈥� he says. 鈥淚mmersing ourselves in the moment helps us let go of the whir of thoughts and to-do lists and start appreciating the beauty and wonder of the night sky. That鈥檚 what supports good mental health.鈥�

Stephanie Vermillion听is an adventure and astrotourism writer and author of the upcoming National Geographic book听, out December 3.

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Some people book hotels for high-quality gyms; others prioritize al fresco bathtubs. For me, an astrophotographer, accommodation selection comes down to one thing: stargazing potential.

With the recent astrotourism boom, due in part to the amazing northern-lights viewing in the U.S. this year, many lodges have bolstered their night-sky offerings. But not all dark-sky retreats are created equally. Simply having a view of constellations or being located near a low-light-pollution park doesn鈥檛 necessarily make for a stellar stargazing hotel.

A true dark-sky retreat makes the nightscape a main attraction. I鈥檝e traveled to my fair share of properties that fit this bill, and others I can鈥檛 wait to check into for a night of cosmos-watching. Here are the ones I recommend in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Sky Village at Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch

Cortez, Colorado

Hidden among the mesas and grassy valleys of the arid Colorado Plateau lies one of my favorite Milky Way鈥搘atching lookouts on the continent: . The southwestern Colorado getaway, bookended between its namesake monument and the Ute Mountain Reserve, enjoys pristine night views best enjoyed from the new Star Tower, a two-story structure with views of Sleeping Ute Mountain that opened in 2023.

Its architecture is reminiscent of the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings found at nearby Mesa Verde National Park, located 30 miles east. You can spend days here bouncing between parks, hiking the nearby trails, and meeting the ranch鈥檚 farm animals. Come nightfall, all eyes are on the sky鈥攑articularly if you鈥檙e relaxing on the tower鈥檚 star-view deck. From $515

oTentik

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan

As our northern neighbor鈥檚 inkiest dark-sky preserve, certified by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, nightscapes are about as star-speckled as they were when the dinosaurs tromped here鈥攁 history that draws fossil hunters and astrotourists alike.

Few accommodations exist in this 280-square-mile swath of mixed-grass prairie, but you can book Parks Canada鈥檚 , a collection of 12 cozy safari-style accommodations in the Frenchman Valley and Rock Creek campgrounds, designed with both sleeping and living-room spaces for up to six people. Based here, you can scour for fossils and admire the resident buffalo by day and gaze across 360 degrees of starry skies from your tent perch come dusk.

It鈥檚 worth mentioning that the park is ideally situated near the remote Saskatchewan-Montana border, a spot known for aurora sightings. Like many of our favorite contiguous U.S. aurora-hunting spots, lights viewing can occur here year-round. From $115

Under Canvas Bryce Canyon

Widtsoe, Utah

, lauded for its upscale, national-park-adjacent glamp sites, made an astrotourism splash in 2023 when it partnered with global light-pollution authority DarkSky International to turn a into the first DarkSky-certified resorts. At this especially incredible 50-tent outpost, located just 15 miles north of Bryce Canyon, an International DarkSky Park, the skies turn particularly dusky each night.

According to the nine-level Bortle Scale of , the property鈥檚 skies have the darkest rating: Class 1. Admire constellations from your private porch, join guided stargazing sessions, try meditative star bathing, or get hands on with community telescopes. The cr猫me de la cr猫me for space enthusiasts is the Stargazer tent, which features a large skylight to admire starry skies as as you doze off.

Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, is open from May through September. From $472

Fresh Coast Cabins

Eagle Harbor, Michigan

While I鈥檝e enjoyed northern lights sightings around the world, few places have been as lucky for me as , ten trendy, family-owned cabins on Michigan鈥檚 Keweenaw Peninsula. It ticks every box on my lower 48 aurora-hunting checklist: a clear, north-facing view across Lake Superior鈥攅ssential for catching the swirls since they appear closer to the horizon in lower latitudes鈥攁nd virtually no light pollution.

Its spacious campfire-gathering space draws guests outdoors at night for a few hours of star- and aurora-gazing, but I recommend that avid sky-watchers book Cabin Nine or the slightly pricier Aurora Major Suite. Both boast private porches with sweeping lake views. After a dose of astronomical awe, pop into the property鈥檚 new , a traditional Finnish construction, then trot the path down to the lake for a reinvigorating dip in its waters. Repeat as needed. From $300

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Lanai City, Hawaii

The 213-room may be a five-star splurge, but for night-sky buffs interested in stargazing as well as authentic Native culture, it鈥檚 worth it. The resort, set on this small, palm-fringed island roughly an hour via ferry from Maui, runs that spotlights both the stars and the stories of the Indigenous Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders that long relied on them for navigation. The observatory is also open to residents during special community events and for STEM internship programs for local students.

Expert-led star talks delve into celestial navigation history, and you can peer through a 3.2-foot telescope for a closer look at the skies. Other evening activities at the resort include full-moon themed dinners and guided starlit meditations overlooking Holopoe Bay, where the crashing waves add a splash of sound therapy. From $1,500

Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch

Pleasant Valley, Alaska

Aurora hunting from , a new getaway some 30 miles east of Fairbanks, is like sky-watching from a holiday snow globe. The 18-acre property is about as North Pole as U.S. travel gets. There are four igloo-style domes, named after caribou herds in Alaska, and each with a private deck positioned just above a bustling reindeer hangout. That means endless nights of watching for the northern lights with Santa鈥檚 helpers lazing nearby. Another thoughtful perk is a kitchenette equipped with a microwave鈥攑erfect for warming cocoa during long nights awake.

Worried about dozing through the show? Sign up for the ranch鈥檚 complimentary aurora alerts so you don鈥檛 miss a second of the colorful swirls. Daytime adventures include reindeer hikes and dogsled rides. And if you visit during the summer, the ranch has room-darkening shades for snoozing despite the all-hours midnight sun. From $280

The Oasis at Death Valley

Death Valley National Park, California

There鈥檚 a reason stargazers flock to this national park. Its remote and arid landscape, named a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, delights with obsidian skies across its 3.4 million acres of salt flats, sand dunes, and rainbow-hued hills. Even on bright-moon nights at the , I could spy countless stars. That said, it鈥檚 best to visit around a new moon, particularly in the less toasty months of October to February, for after-dark festivities that spotlight the park鈥檚 spellbinding skies.

The Oasis, included in DarkSky International鈥檚 certification of the park in 2013, offers two hotels: the higher-end , with 66 rooms and 22 casitas, and the , with 275 rooms. You鈥檒l enjoy the park鈥檚 signature nightscapes from either landing pad, particularly during the annual in early March. Another great post-sunset adventure is the s offered by Furnace Creek Stables ($120 for one hour). Ranch rooms from $170; inn rooms from $356

Rancho La Concepci贸n

Los Manzanos, Mexico

A heaven full of stars awaits travelers willing to go off-grid to this small, sustainable, and Wi-Fi-free ranch in the wilderness of Baja California, some 115 miles southeast of Ensenada. offers three rustic-chic cabins near the mountainous Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro M谩rtir, an area so dark that astronomers decided to situate the country鈥檚 second-largest telescope here. You can visit , a 23-mile drive east, during select public events, including presentations the first Friday of each month.

That said, Rancho La Concepci贸n鈥檚 Bortle Class 1 skies make it hard to leave鈥攑articularly when the owners run space-sighting sessions with hot chocolate on hand. If there鈥檚 just one or two of you, book to watch the sparkly skies from bed. From $130

Thorny Mountain Fire Tower

Seneca State Forest, West Virginia

On the eastern side of West Virginia, a half-day鈥檚 drive from Washington, D.C., Seneca State Forest draws anglers and hikers eager to trek the area鈥檚 strech of the 330-mile Allegheny Trail. Come nightfall, there鈥檚 no better vantage point than the forest鈥檚 65-foot-high听, a refurbished accommodation and picturesque dark-sky retreat that juts well above the pines.

The two-bed tower can sleep up to four people and retains the rustic, low-frills aesthetic of its 1935 beginnings, with 360-degree windows and a wrap-around balcony that lets Mother Nature do the decorating. The digs, reached via 69 steps, are only available from April through October and get scooped up almost a year in advance. Once you鈥檙e there, staring up in wonder at the bright cosmos, it鈥檚 not hard to see why it鈥檚 so special. From $150

Compass Rose Lodge

Huntsville, Utah

The Ogden Valley isn鈥檛 solely for ski buffs. The eclectic 15-room illustrates the region鈥檚 astrotourism allure, starting with the on-site . The stargazing haven, roughly 45 miles north of Salt Lake City, is open to guests and the local community, with telescopes to peer into space and nightly guided observations.

Also worthy of your time is the , just 2.5 miles north of the Compass Rose.听 A 13-mile-long model of our solar system, the project includes sculptures and artistic renderings of the planets, best enjoyed on a ride along the (bike rentals are available at the lodge). From $279

Summit at Big Bend

Terlingua, Texas

At nine million acres, southern Texas鈥檚 Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. It encompasses not only Big Bend National Park but the ghost town of Terlingua and its nearby astro hub, the . Its glamping accommodations, from domes to cave dwellings, offer jet-black Bortle Class 1 nightscapes across 1,000 private desert acres.

For astronomy fans, it鈥檚 tough to beat鈥攐r catch any shut-eye in鈥攖he property鈥檚 stargazing domes, where clear ceilings and front walls are optimal for watching the shrub-dotted desert transition from blue-sky day to shimmery polka-dotted twilight. Catch the cosmos from your dome or your own听 fire pit, or enjoy the reserve鈥檚 numerous other , including astro programming in nearby 鈥攊ts Maverick Junction entrance is 17 miles to the east. From $159

国产吃瓜黑料 and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion travels the globe in search of the best night-sky views, from stargazing-themed hotels to aurora-hunting campsites. Her upcoming book 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark will be out December 3.

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