All of our nights are amazing! That's why you can book any night of year with us. BUT THE BEST NIGHTS ARE the ones we call "BRYCE NIGHTS!"
Use the events list below to plan your telescope tour so that you don't just have a nice night with the Dark Rangers. Plan ahead so you can enjoy a "Bryce Night!" Once you picked your "Bryce Night" book that telescope tour here, or follow this link if you would prefer to book a private tour.
PLAN HERE, BOOK THERE:
...because this page is NOT where you book... You'd be surprised how many people don't read this part.
If you found this page you are the kind of person that seeks out the best. You might also be a seeker of explanations -- if so keep reading. But if you are just the kind of person who accepts advice unquestioningly, than you can save yourself 1-2 minutes by JUST matching-up the color coding in the calendar below for quick answers.
BEST SEASON OF THE YEAR:
Winters are cold in Southern Utah at 6,500 ft (2000m) but if you can handle the cold [Midnight temperatures range between 15F (-10C) and -10F (-23C), you are going to be rewarded with amazing sky. Cold air holds less water and since water molecules can disrupt starlight, winter sky is the most transparent revealing detail in deep space objects you simply can't see in the summer. Unfortunately almost 60% of winter nights can be cloudy. However if you can stay in the Bryce Canyon region 2-3 nights it will dramatically increase (See Cloudy Weather Insurance) your chances of catching a clear night. January and March are our least cloudy winter months.
BEST NON-WINTER MONTHS:
If freezing temperatures are a deal-breaker for you, then plan for June or September which are the 2nd Bryce-est Night months with only a 20% chance of having a cloudy night.
BEST NIGHTS OF ANY MONTH:
Days closest to the New Moon are the darkest nights. You will be able to see the Milky Way extend from horizon to horizon! If Venus or Jupiter are in the sky they will be so bright they will cause you to cast a shadow. Many famous deep space objects are visible to the naked eye - and stunning when viewed through our BIG telescopes. Similar levels of darkness can be experienced on nights 4 or more days after the full moon when you can enjoy 2-3 hours of high quality darkness before the moon rises. Realize that having a Full Moon in the sky is the equivalent of enduring the Light Pollution of 500,000 people.
Q: So the Dark Rangers are Moon haters? A: To the contrary, we LIKE working full moon nights, ESPECIALLY when our guests have read these trade-offs about full Moon night below!
FULL MOON NIGHTS:
Many deep space objects (galaxies, nebulae, exploded stars, etc.) are washed-out by moonlight, however our telescopes are large enough that we can still show you at least 1 example of each even on a full Moon. Just realize you are NOT catching us at our best when you book 4 days before a full moon thru 4 days after a full Moon. Yet, because we pride ourselves in offering YOU truly hands-on experience with our telescopes, we equip them with high-powered eyepieces and let you explore the lunar surface with 300-500x magnification, INCLUDING the Apollo landing locations. No, you won't be able to see "The Flag," but you will see detailed views of mountain ranges that rival most on Earth, craters so large they fill the eyepiece, and other uniquely lunar features.
ASTRONOMICAL EVENT NIGHTS:
We Dark Rangers get so excited about these nights that we set up our very best telescopes and astronomy equipment and uncork our most unbridled enthusiasm. These nights are usually the first ones to fill up in our schedule because to the serious stargazers it doesn't matter how cold it could get, what phase our Moon is going to be in, or even what the chance of encountering clouds might be. These are the most sought after nights because these nights feature meteor showers, eclipses, transits, and/or anniversaries of triumphant moments in space exploration. What could be Brycer than that?
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION OVERFLIGHTS
Long after sunset occurs on the ground, satellites are high enough to still experience daylight. Though we can see several satellites each night, nothing is as impressive as seeing The International Space Station (ISS) fly over. When the sunlight bounces off ISS's huge solar arrays at the perfect angle with the ground, it can be even brighter than Venus as it crosses the sky. Joining us for one of these night is good planning! Occasionally ISS's orbit is adjusted, with thrusters being fired to avoid space junk or just increase orbital elevation -- this throws visible pass prediction out of wack, and it takes the experts, that we rely on, time to calculate new passes. and of course additional time for us to update this page.
PLANETARY CELEBRATIONS:
Finally, on a special night with this designation, we will focuses (that was fun) on the planets involved in a conjunctions or close approaches, and other special events. 2018 is an EXCITING year because there are so many conjunctions! Join us on these nights for an in-depth look at your favorite planet.
PLAN HERE, BOOK THERE:
...because this page is NOT where you book... You'd be surprised how many people don't read this part.
If you found this page you are the kind of person that seeks out the best. You might also be a seeker of explanations -- if so keep reading. But if you are just the kind of person who accepts advice unquestioningly, than you can save yourself 1-2 minutes by JUST matching-up the color coding in the calendar below for quick answers.
BEST SEASON OF THE YEAR:
Winters are cold in Southern Utah at 6,500 ft (2000m) but if you can handle the cold [Midnight temperatures range between 15F (-10C) and -10F (-23C), you are going to be rewarded with amazing sky. Cold air holds less water and since water molecules can disrupt starlight, winter sky is the most transparent revealing detail in deep space objects you simply can't see in the summer. Unfortunately almost 60% of winter nights can be cloudy. However if you can stay in the Bryce Canyon region 2-3 nights it will dramatically increase (See Cloudy Weather Insurance) your chances of catching a clear night. January and March are our least cloudy winter months.
BEST NON-WINTER MONTHS:
If freezing temperatures are a deal-breaker for you, then plan for June or September which are the 2nd Bryce-est Night months with only a 20% chance of having a cloudy night.
BEST NIGHTS OF ANY MONTH:
Days closest to the New Moon are the darkest nights. You will be able to see the Milky Way extend from horizon to horizon! If Venus or Jupiter are in the sky they will be so bright they will cause you to cast a shadow. Many famous deep space objects are visible to the naked eye - and stunning when viewed through our BIG telescopes. Similar levels of darkness can be experienced on nights 4 or more days after the full moon when you can enjoy 2-3 hours of high quality darkness before the moon rises. Realize that having a Full Moon in the sky is the equivalent of enduring the Light Pollution of 500,000 people.
Q: So the Dark Rangers are Moon haters? A: To the contrary, we LIKE working full moon nights, ESPECIALLY when our guests have read these trade-offs about full Moon night below!
FULL MOON NIGHTS:
Many deep space objects (galaxies, nebulae, exploded stars, etc.) are washed-out by moonlight, however our telescopes are large enough that we can still show you at least 1 example of each even on a full Moon. Just realize you are NOT catching us at our best when you book 4 days before a full moon thru 4 days after a full Moon. Yet, because we pride ourselves in offering YOU truly hands-on experience with our telescopes, we equip them with high-powered eyepieces and let you explore the lunar surface with 300-500x magnification, INCLUDING the Apollo landing locations. No, you won't be able to see "The Flag," but you will see detailed views of mountain ranges that rival most on Earth, craters so large they fill the eyepiece, and other uniquely lunar features.
ASTRONOMICAL EVENT NIGHTS:
We Dark Rangers get so excited about these nights that we set up our very best telescopes and astronomy equipment and uncork our most unbridled enthusiasm. These nights are usually the first ones to fill up in our schedule because to the serious stargazers it doesn't matter how cold it could get, what phase our Moon is going to be in, or even what the chance of encountering clouds might be. These are the most sought after nights because these nights feature meteor showers, eclipses, transits, and/or anniversaries of triumphant moments in space exploration. What could be Brycer than that?
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION OVERFLIGHTS
Long after sunset occurs on the ground, satellites are high enough to still experience daylight. Though we can see several satellites each night, nothing is as impressive as seeing The International Space Station (ISS) fly over. When the sunlight bounces off ISS's huge solar arrays at the perfect angle with the ground, it can be even brighter than Venus as it crosses the sky. Joining us for one of these night is good planning! Occasionally ISS's orbit is adjusted, with thrusters being fired to avoid space junk or just increase orbital elevation -- this throws visible pass prediction out of wack, and it takes the experts, that we rely on, time to calculate new passes. and of course additional time for us to update this page.
PLANETARY CELEBRATIONS:
Finally, on a special night with this designation, we will focuses (that was fun) on the planets involved in a conjunctions or close approaches, and other special events. 2018 is an EXCITING year because there are so many conjunctions! Join us on these nights for an in-depth look at your favorite planet.
2021 Bryce Nights
JANUARY (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Sun. 3: Quadrantid Meteor Shower (120/hr)
Mon. 11: New Moon
Tues. 12: New Moon
Wed. 13: New Moon
Tues. 19: Ursae Minorid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Wed. 20: Moon in conjunction with Mars
Thurs. 21: Mars and Uranus conjunction
Wed. 27: Full Moon and Mercury reaches it's highest point in western sky
Thurs. 28: Full Moon
Fri. 29: Full Moon
Sun. 3: Quadrantid Meteor Shower (120/hr)
Mon. 11: New Moon
Tues. 12: New Moon
Wed. 13: New Moon
Tues. 19: Ursae Minorid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Wed. 20: Moon in conjunction with Mars
Thurs. 21: Mars and Uranus conjunction
Wed. 27: Full Moon and Mercury reaches it's highest point in western sky
Thurs. 28: Full Moon
Fri. 29: Full Moon
FEBRUARY (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Wed. 10: New Moon
Thurs. 11: New Moon
Fri. 12: New Moon
Thurs. 18 Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Fri. 19 Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Fri. 26: Full Moon
Sat. 27: Full Moon
Sun. 28: Full Moon
Wed. 10: New Moon
Thurs. 11: New Moon
Fri. 12: New Moon
Thurs. 18 Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Fri. 19 Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Fri. 26: Full Moon
Sat. 27: Full Moon
Sun. 28: Full Moon
MARCH 1-13 (Winter) 8:00pm start time,
Sat. 13: New Moon
MARCH 14-31 (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Sun. 14: New Moon
Mon. 15: New Moon
Wed. 24: Comet 10P/Tempel at perihelion
Sat. 27: Full Moon
Sun. 28: Full Moon
Mon. 29: Full Moon
Sat. 13: New Moon
MARCH 14-31 (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Sun. 14: New Moon
Mon. 15: New Moon
Wed. 24: Comet 10P/Tempel at perihelion
Sat. 27: Full Moon
Sun. 28: Full Moon
Mon. 29: Full Moon
APRIL (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Sat. 10: New Moon
Sun. 11: New Moon
Mon. 12: New Moon
Wed. 15: The 42 nights of Great Galaxies (best galaxies visible from Northern Hemisphere) begin!
Tues. 17: Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Thurs. 22: and Lyrid Meteor Shower (18/hr)
Sun. 25: Full Moon
Mon. 26 Full Moon
Tues. 27: Full Moon
Sat. 10: New Moon
Sun. 11: New Moon
Mon. 12: New Moon
Wed. 15: The 42 nights of Great Galaxies (best galaxies visible from Northern Hemisphere) begin!
Tues. 17: Conjunction of Moon and Mars
Thurs. 22: and Lyrid Meteor Shower (18/hr)
Sun. 25: Full Moon
Mon. 26 Full Moon
Tues. 27: Full Moon
MAY (Summer) 9:00pm start time - All inner planets in the sky, ALL month!
Thurs. 6: Aquariid Meteor Shower (40/hr before dawn)
Sat. 8: 2nd peak of northern Lyrid Meteor Shower (3/hr)
Tues. 11: New Moon
Wed. 12 : New Moon Moon in conjunction with Venus
Thurs. 13: New Moon Moon in conjunction with Mercury
Sat. 15: Merucry at highest point in western sky and Moon in conjunction with Mars
Tues. 25: Full Moon
Wed. 26: Full Moon with a TOTAL lunar eclipse 3am - 6am
Thurs. 27: Full Moon The 42 nights of Great Galaxies (best galaxies visible from Northern Hemisphere) concludes.
Fri. 28: Merucry in conjunction with Venus
Thurs. 6: Aquariid Meteor Shower (40/hr before dawn)
Sat. 8: 2nd peak of northern Lyrid Meteor Shower (3/hr)
Tues. 11: New Moon
Wed. 12 : New Moon Moon in conjunction with Venus
Thurs. 13: New Moon Moon in conjunction with Mercury
Sat. 15: Merucry at highest point in western sky and Moon in conjunction with Mars
Tues. 25: Full Moon
Wed. 26: Full Moon with a TOTAL lunar eclipse 3am - 6am
Thurs. 27: Full Moon The 42 nights of Great Galaxies (best galaxies visible from Northern Hemisphere) concludes.
Fri. 28: Merucry in conjunction with Venus
JUNE (Summer) 9:15pm start time - Mercury visible 1st half of the month!
Wed. 9: New Moon
Thurs. 10 : New Moon
Fri. 11: New Moon
Sat. 12: Thin crescent Moon and Venus conjunction at sunset
Sun. 13: Moon and Mars conjunction
Wed. 23: Full Moon Mars travels thru the Beehive Star Cluster
Thurs. 24: Full Moon
Fri. 25: Full Moon
Wed. 9: New Moon
Thurs. 10 : New Moon
Fri. 11: New Moon
Sat. 12: Thin crescent Moon and Venus conjunction at sunset
Sun. 13: Moon and Mars conjunction
Wed. 23: Full Moon Mars travels thru the Beehive Star Cluster
Thurs. 24: Full Moon
Fri. 25: Full Moon
JULY (Summer) 9:15pm start time - All month, Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter rise after Venus and Mars set, and before midnight. Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Sat. 3: Venus travels thru the Beehive Star Cluster
Thurs. 8: New Moon
Fri. 9: New Moon and Saturn at opposition and ISS @ 9:24pm
Sat. 10: New Moon
Sun. 11: Venus, Mars and Moon triple conjunction
Mon. 12: Venus, Mars and Moon triple conjunction
Tue. 13: Venus and Mars on extreme close approach. Both visible in the same eyepiece!
Sun. 18: Pluto at opposition
Thurs 22: Full Moon
Fri. 23: Full Moon
Sat. 24: Full Moon and conjunction with Saturn
Sun. 25: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sat. 30: Southern Aquariid & Capricornid meteor showers peak (3/hr as diminished by bright moon after midnight)
Sat. 3: Venus travels thru the Beehive Star Cluster
Thurs. 8: New Moon
Fri. 9: New Moon and Saturn at opposition and ISS @ 9:24pm
Sat. 10: New Moon
Sun. 11: Venus, Mars and Moon triple conjunction
Mon. 12: Venus, Mars and Moon triple conjunction
Tue. 13: Venus and Mars on extreme close approach. Both visible in the same eyepiece!
Sun. 18: Pluto at opposition
Thurs 22: Full Moon
Fri. 23: Full Moon
Sat. 24: Full Moon and conjunction with Saturn
Sun. 25: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sat. 30: Southern Aquariid & Capricornid meteor showers peak (3/hr as diminished by bright moon after midnight)
AUGUST (Summer) 9:00pm start time - Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter in the sky, ALL month! Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Mon. 2: Saturn at opposition
Fri. 7: New Moon and Cygnid meteor Shower (3/hr)
Sat: 8: New Moon
Sun. 9: New Moon and thin crescent Moon conjunction with Mars
Wed. 11: Moon in conjunction with Venus
Thurs. 12: Perseid meteor shower (150/hr!)
Wed. 18: Cygnid meteor Shower (3/hr) and Mercury and Mars in conjunction at sunset
Thurs. 19: Jupiter at opposition
Fri. 20: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Sat. 21: Full Moon and Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sun. 22: Full Moon and Moon on close approach with Jupiter
Mon. 23: Full Moon
Mon. 2: Saturn at opposition
Fri. 7: New Moon and Cygnid meteor Shower (3/hr)
Sat: 8: New Moon
Sun. 9: New Moon and thin crescent Moon conjunction with Mars
Wed. 11: Moon in conjunction with Venus
Thurs. 12: Perseid meteor shower (150/hr!)
Wed. 18: Cygnid meteor Shower (3/hr) and Mercury and Mars in conjunction at sunset
Thurs. 19: Jupiter at opposition
Fri. 20: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Sat. 21: Full Moon and Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sun. 22: Full Moon and Moon on close approach with Jupiter
Mon. 23: Full Moon
SEPTEMBER (Summer) 8:30pm start time - Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter in the sky, ALL month!
Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Wed. 1: Aurigid Meteor Shower (2/hr before dawn)
Fri. 3: Mercury reach highest point in western sky
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: New Moon
Tues. 7: New Moon
Wed. 8: Moon in conjunction with Mercury
Thurs. 9: E-Perseid meteor shower 1st peak (5/hr) and Moon in conjunction with Venus
Sat. 11: Asteroid Pallas and Neptune on close approach
Tues. 14: Neptune at opposition
Thurs. 16: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Sat. 18: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sun. 19: Full Moon
Mon. 20: Full Moon
Tues. 21: Full Moon
Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Wed. 1: Aurigid Meteor Shower (2/hr before dawn)
Fri. 3: Mercury reach highest point in western sky
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: New Moon
Tues. 7: New Moon
Wed. 8: Moon in conjunction with Mercury
Thurs. 9: E-Perseid meteor shower 1st peak (5/hr) and Moon in conjunction with Venus
Sat. 11: Asteroid Pallas and Neptune on close approach
Tues. 14: Neptune at opposition
Thurs. 16: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Sat. 18: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Sun. 19: Full Moon
Mon. 20: Full Moon
Tues. 21: Full Moon
OCTOBER (Summer, but STILL cold) 8:00pm start time - All outer planets and Pluto in the sky, ALL month! Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Tues. 5: New Moon
Wed. 6: New Moon
Thurs. 7: New Moon
Fri. 9: Draconid Meteor Shower (5/hr peaks before midnight) and conjunction of Moon and Venus
Mon. 11: Aurigid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Tues. 12: Moon in conjunction with Pluto
Wed. 13: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Thurs. 14: Moon in triple conjunction with Saturn and Jupiter
Fri. 15: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Mon. 18: Geminid Meteor Shower (3/hr diminished by Moon light)
Tues. 19: Full Moon
Wed. 20: Full Moon
Thurs. 21: Full Moon in conjunction with Uranus Orionids Meteor Shower (15/hr but diminished by full Moon)
Sun. 24: Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower (3/hr diminished by full Moon)
Fri. 29: Venus at maximum brightness before sunset
Tues. 5: New Moon
Wed. 6: New Moon
Thurs. 7: New Moon
Fri. 9: Draconid Meteor Shower (5/hr peaks before midnight) and conjunction of Moon and Venus
Mon. 11: Aurigid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Tues. 12: Moon in conjunction with Pluto
Wed. 13: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Thurs. 14: Moon in triple conjunction with Saturn and Jupiter
Fri. 15: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Mon. 18: Geminid Meteor Shower (3/hr diminished by Moon light)
Tues. 19: Full Moon
Wed. 20: Full Moon
Thurs. 21: Full Moon in conjunction with Uranus Orionids Meteor Shower (15/hr but diminished by full Moon)
Sun. 24: Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower (3/hr diminished by full Moon)
Fri. 29: Venus at maximum brightness before sunset
NOVEMBER (Winter) 8:00pm start time - All outer planets and Pluto in the sky, ALL month! Yes, our telescopes are big enough to reach Pluto on a Moonless night!
Sat. 6: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at perihelion rising before midnight
Wed. 3: New Moon
Thurs. 4: New Moon and Uranus at opposition
Fri. 5: New Moon
Sat. 6: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at max brightness rising before midnight
Sun. 7: Moon in conjunction with Venus
Wed. 10: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Thurs. 11: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Fri. 12: Northern Taurid Meteor Shower (5/hr)
Wed. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower (15/hr diminished by full Moon)
Thurs. 18: Full Moon
Fri. 19: Full Moon briefly total lunar eclipse mignight thur 3am
Sat. 20: Full Moon
Sun. 21: Monocerotid Meteor Shower (5/hr diminished by full Moon)
Fri. 26: Asteroid (Dwarf planet?) Ceres at opposition
Sat. 6: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at perihelion rising before midnight
Wed. 3: New Moon
Thurs. 4: New Moon and Uranus at opposition
Fri. 5: New Moon
Sat. 6: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at max brightness rising before midnight
Sun. 7: Moon in conjunction with Venus
Wed. 10: Moon in conjunction with Saturn
Thurs. 11: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Fri. 12: Northern Taurid Meteor Shower (5/hr)
Wed. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower (15/hr diminished by full Moon)
Thurs. 18: Full Moon
Fri. 19: Full Moon briefly total lunar eclipse mignight thur 3am
Sat. 20: Full Moon
Sun. 21: Monocerotid Meteor Shower (5/hr diminished by full Moon)
Fri. 26: Asteroid (Dwarf planet?) Ceres at opposition
DECEMBER (Winter) 8:00pm start time - All outer planets in the sky, ALL month!
Sat. 4: New Moon
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: New Moon and Cassiopeid Meteor Shower (2/hr) and Moon in conjunction with Venus
Tues. 7: Moon in conjunction with Saturn and Venus at max brightness
Wed. 8: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Thurs. 9: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter and Monocerotid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Sun. 12: Hydrid Meteor Shower (2hr)
Tues. 14: Geminid Meteor Shower (120/hr diminished by Moon light)
Fri. 17: Full Moon
Sat. 18: Full Moon
Sun. 19: Full Moon
Wed. 22: Ursid Meteor Shower (10/hr)
Sat. 4: New Moon
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: New Moon and Cassiopeid Meteor Shower (2/hr) and Moon in conjunction with Venus
Tues. 7: Moon in conjunction with Saturn and Venus at max brightness
Wed. 8: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter
Thurs. 9: Moon in conjunction with Jupiter and Monocerotid Meteor Shower (2/hr)
Sun. 12: Hydrid Meteor Shower (2hr)
Tues. 14: Geminid Meteor Shower (120/hr diminished by Moon light)
Fri. 17: Full Moon
Sat. 18: Full Moon
Sun. 19: Full Moon
Wed. 22: Ursid Meteor Shower (10/hr)
Stay tuned for 2022's Bryce Nights...
Once you picked your "Bryce Night" book that telescope tour here, or follow this link if you would prefer to book a private tour.
