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 schedule 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:
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:
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.
2019's Bryce Nights
JANUARY (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Wed. 2: Earth at closest point to our Sun (did you know season has NOTHING to do with distance?)
Fri. 4: New Moon
Sat. 5: New Moon
Sun. 6: New Moon
Sat. 12: Moon and Mars on close approach
Sat. 19: Full Moon and ISS 7:31pm
Sun. 20 Full Moon and ISS 8:14pm and Lunar Eclipse 9:41 - 10:43pm
Mon. 21: Full Moon and ISS 7:21pm
Tues. 22: ISS 8:06pm
Weds. 23: ISS 7:12pm
Thurs. 25 ISS 7:03pm
Wed. 2: Earth at closest point to our Sun (did you know season has NOTHING to do with distance?)
Fri. 4: New Moon
Sat. 5: New Moon
Sun. 6: New Moon
Sat. 12: Moon and Mars on close approach
Sat. 19: Full Moon and ISS 7:31pm
Sun. 20 Full Moon and ISS 8:14pm and Lunar Eclipse 9:41 - 10:43pm
Mon. 21: Full Moon and ISS 7:21pm
Tues. 22: ISS 8:06pm
Weds. 23: ISS 7:12pm
Thurs. 25 ISS 7:03pm
FEBRUARY (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Sat. 3: ISS 7:11pm
Sun. 4: New Moon and ISS 7:55pm
Mon. 5: New Moon and ISS 7:00pm
Tues. 6: New Moon and ISS 7:43pm
Wed. 7: ISS 8:27pm
Thurs. 8: ISS 7:33pm
Sun. 10: Moon, Uranus, and Mars on close approach and ISS 7:24pm
Mon. 11: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Tues. 12: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Wed. 13: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Mon. 18: Full Moon
Tues. 19 Full Moon
Wed. 20: Full Moon
Sat. 3: ISS 7:11pm
Sun. 4: New Moon and ISS 7:55pm
Mon. 5: New Moon and ISS 7:00pm
Tues. 6: New Moon and ISS 7:43pm
Wed. 7: ISS 8:27pm
Thurs. 8: ISS 7:33pm
Sun. 10: Moon, Uranus, and Mars on close approach and ISS 7:24pm
Mon. 11: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Tues. 12: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Wed. 13: Uranus and Mars on close approach
Mon. 18: Full Moon
Tues. 19 Full Moon
Wed. 20: Full Moon
MARCH 1-9 (Winter) 8:00pm start time,
Tues. 4: New Moon
Wed. 5: New Moon
Thurs. 6: New Moon
MARCH 10-31 (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Mon. 11: Moon and Mars on close approach
Mon. 18: ISS 9:00pm
Tues. 19: Full Moon and ISS 9:42pm
Wed. 20 Full Moon and ISS 8:48pm
Thurs. 21: Full Moon and ISS 9:31pm
Fri. 22: ISS 10:15pm
Sat. 23: ISS 9:21pm
Sun. 24: ISS 8:26pm
Mon. 25: ISS 9:11pm
Tues. 26: ISS 8:26pm
Sun. 31: ISS 10:15pm
Tues. 4: New Moon
Wed. 5: New Moon
Thurs. 6: New Moon
MARCH 10-31 (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Mon. 11: Moon and Mars on close approach
Mon. 18: ISS 9:00pm
Tues. 19: Full Moon and ISS 9:42pm
Wed. 20 Full Moon and ISS 8:48pm
Thurs. 21: Full Moon and ISS 9:31pm
Fri. 22: ISS 10:15pm
Sat. 23: ISS 9:21pm
Sun. 24: ISS 8:26pm
Mon. 25: ISS 9:11pm
Tues. 26: ISS 8:26pm
Sun. 31: ISS 10:15pm
APRIL 1-13 (Winter) 8:30pm start time
Mon. 1: ISS 9:22pm
Tues. 2: ISS 10:03pm
Wed. 3: ISS 9:10pm
Thurs. 4: New Moon and ISS 9:52pm
Fri. 5: New Moon and ISS 8:58pm and 10:34pm
Sat. 6: New Moon and ISS 9:40pm
Sun. 7: ISS 8:46pm
Mon. 8: ISS 9:29pm
Tues. 9: ISS 8:35pm
Thurs. 11: ISS 8:23pm
Fri. 12: Virginid Meteor Shower (5/hr)
April 14-30 (Winter) 9:00pm start time
Thurs. 18: Full Moon
Fri. 19: Full Moon
Sat. 20: Full Moon
Tues. 23: Lyrid Meteor Shower (10/hr diminished by nearly full Moon)
Sun. 28: Scorpiid Meteor Shower (5/hr after midnight)
Mon. 1: ISS 9:22pm
Tues. 2: ISS 10:03pm
Wed. 3: ISS 9:10pm
Thurs. 4: New Moon and ISS 9:52pm
Fri. 5: New Moon and ISS 8:58pm and 10:34pm
Sat. 6: New Moon and ISS 9:40pm
Sun. 7: ISS 8:46pm
Mon. 8: ISS 9:29pm
Tues. 9: ISS 8:35pm
Thurs. 11: ISS 8:23pm
Fri. 12: Virginid Meteor Shower (5/hr)
April 14-30 (Winter) 9:00pm start time
Thurs. 18: Full Moon
Fri. 19: Full Moon
Sat. 20: Full Moon
Tues. 23: Lyrid Meteor Shower (10/hr diminished by nearly full Moon)
Sun. 28: Scorpiid Meteor Shower (5/hr after midnight)
MAY (Summer) 9:00pm start time
Thurs. 2: Moon and Venus conjunction
Fri. 3: New Moon
Sat. 4 : New Moon
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: Aquarid Meteor Shower (up to 40/hr by 4am)
Tues. 7: Moon and Mars conjunction
Thurs. 10: Moon in the Beehive Cluster
Mon. 13: Scorpiid Meteor Shower (5/hr after midnight)
Fri. 17: Full Moon
Sat. 18: Full Moon
Sun. 19 Full Moon
Mon. 20: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Wed. 22: Moon and Saturn conjunction
Tues. 28: Ceres at opposition
Thurs. 2: Moon and Venus conjunction
Fri. 3: New Moon
Sat. 4 : New Moon
Sun. 5: New Moon
Mon. 6: Aquarid Meteor Shower (up to 40/hr by 4am)
Tues. 7: Moon and Mars conjunction
Thurs. 10: Moon in the Beehive Cluster
Mon. 13: Scorpiid Meteor Shower (5/hr after midnight)
Fri. 17: Full Moon
Sat. 18: Full Moon
Sun. 19 Full Moon
Mon. 20: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Wed. 22: Moon and Saturn conjunction
Tues. 28: Ceres at opposition
JUNE (Summer) 9:15pm start time - Mercury visible all month!
Sun. 2: New Moon
Mon. 3 : New Moon
Tues. 4: New Moon and Moon and Mercury conjunction
Wed. 5: Moon and Mars conjunction
Mon. 10: Ophiuchid Meteor Shower 1st peak (5/hr) and Jupiter at opposition
Sun. 16: Full Moon and Moon and Jupiter conjunction. Mercury visible all week!
Mon. 17: Full Moon and Mercury and Mars conjunction
Tues. 18: Full Moon and Mercury and Mars on close approach (same eyepiece!) with Moon and Saturn conjunction.
Wed. 20: Ophiuchid Meteor Shower 2nd peak (5/hr)
Sat. 23: Mercury at greatest elongation
Sun. 2: New Moon
Mon. 3 : New Moon
Tues. 4: New Moon and Moon and Mercury conjunction
Wed. 5: Moon and Mars conjunction
Mon. 10: Ophiuchid Meteor Shower 1st peak (5/hr) and Jupiter at opposition
Sun. 16: Full Moon and Moon and Jupiter conjunction. Mercury visible all week!
Mon. 17: Full Moon and Mercury and Mars conjunction
Tues. 18: Full Moon and Mercury and Mars on close approach (same eyepiece!) with Moon and Saturn conjunction.
Wed. 20: Ophiuchid Meteor Shower 2nd peak (5/hr)
Sat. 23: Mercury at greatest elongation
JULY (Summer) 9:15pm start time - Jupiter and Saturn visible all month
Tues. 2: New Moon
Wed. 3 - Tues. 9 Dark Ranger Observatory will be closed
as we will be working for Badlands National Park and their Astronomy Festival Join us there for FREE!
Wed. 10: Saturn at opposition
Sat. 13: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Sun. 14: Pluto at opposition (yes we can show you Pluto! with our BIG telescopes)
Mon. 15: Full Moon and Capricornid meteor shower 1st peak (1/hr washed out by moonlight)
Tues. 16: Full Moon with Moon and Saturn close approach (same eyepiece!)
Wed. 17: Full Moon
Sun. 21: a-Cygnid meteor shower (5/hr)
Fri. 26: Capricornid meteor shower 2nd peak (5/hr)
Mon. 29: Delta Aquarid meteor shower (7/hr)
Tues. 30: New Moon
Wed. 31: New Moon
Tues. 2: New Moon
Wed. 3 - Tues. 9 Dark Ranger Observatory will be closed
as we will be working for Badlands National Park and their Astronomy Festival Join us there for FREE!
Wed. 10: Saturn at opposition
Sat. 13: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Sun. 14: Pluto at opposition (yes we can show you Pluto! with our BIG telescopes)
Mon. 15: Full Moon and Capricornid meteor shower 1st peak (1/hr washed out by moonlight)
Tues. 16: Full Moon with Moon and Saturn close approach (same eyepiece!)
Wed. 17: Full Moon
Sun. 21: a-Cygnid meteor shower (5/hr)
Fri. 26: Capricornid meteor shower 2nd peak (5/hr)
Mon. 29: Delta Aquarid meteor shower (7/hr)
Tues. 30: New Moon
Wed. 31: New Moon
AUGUST (Summer) 9:00pm start time - Jupiter and Saturn visible all month
Fri. 2: 3rd peak of Capricornid meteor shower (5/hr or more enhanced by dark of new moon)
Fri. 9: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Mon. 12: Moon and Saturn conjunction
Tues. 13 Perseid meteor shower (10/hr washed out by moonlight)
Sat. 14: Full Moon
Sun. 15: Full Moon
Mon. 16: Full Moon
Wed. 21: Cygnid meteor Shower (4/hr) and Saturn and Moon conjunction
Thurs. 23: Mars and Moon conjunction
Thurs. 29: New Moon
Fri. 30: New Moon
Wed. 31: New Moon
Fri. 2: 3rd peak of Capricornid meteor shower (5/hr or more enhanced by dark of new moon)
Fri. 9: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Mon. 12: Moon and Saturn conjunction
Tues. 13 Perseid meteor shower (10/hr washed out by moonlight)
Sat. 14: Full Moon
Sun. 15: Full Moon
Mon. 16: Full Moon
Wed. 21: Cygnid meteor Shower (4/hr) and Saturn and Moon conjunction
Thurs. 23: Mars and Moon conjunction
Thurs. 29: New Moon
Fri. 30: New Moon
Wed. 31: New Moon
SEPTEMBER 1-15 (Summer) 8:30pm start time - Jupiter and Saturn visible all month
Sun. 8: Moon and Pluto conjunction (Pluto's brown color washed out by moonlight)
Mon. 9: Piscid meteor shower 1st peak (7/hr)
Tues. 10: Neptune at opposition
Sat. 12: Full Moon
Sun. 13: Full Moon
Mon. 14: Full Moon
SEPTEMBER 16-30 (Summer) 8:00pm start time
Sat. 21: Piscid meteor shower 1st peak (7/hr)
Fri. 27: New Moon
Sat. 28: New Moon
Sun. 29: New Moon and Moon, Mercury, and Venus conjunction just after sunset
Sun. 8: Moon and Pluto conjunction (Pluto's brown color washed out by moonlight)
Mon. 9: Piscid meteor shower 1st peak (7/hr)
Tues. 10: Neptune at opposition
Sat. 12: Full Moon
Sun. 13: Full Moon
Mon. 14: Full Moon
SEPTEMBER 16-30 (Summer) 8:00pm start time
Sat. 21: Piscid meteor shower 1st peak (7/hr)
Fri. 27: New Moon
Sat. 28: New Moon
Sun. 29: New Moon and Moon, Mercury, and Venus conjunction just after sunset
OCTOBER (Summer, but STILL cold) 8:00pm start time - Saturn and Pluto conjunction all month
Thurs. 3: Jupiter and Moon close approach
Sat. 5: Moon and Pluto conjunction
Tues. 12: Full Moon
Wed. 13: Full Moon
Thurs. 14: Full Moon
Mon. 21: Orionids Meteor Shower (8/hr)
Sat. 26: New Moon and Jupiter and former planet known as Ceres conjuction
Sun. 27: New Moon
Sat. 28: New Moon and Uranus as opposition
Thurs. 31: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
Thurs. 3: Jupiter and Moon close approach
Sat. 5: Moon and Pluto conjunction
Tues. 12: Full Moon
Wed. 13: Full Moon
Thurs. 14: Full Moon
Mon. 21: Orionids Meteor Shower (8/hr)
Sat. 26: New Moon and Jupiter and former planet known as Ceres conjuction
Sun. 27: New Moon
Sat. 28: New Moon and Uranus as opposition
Thurs. 31: Moon and Jupiter conjunction
NOVEMBER (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Tues. 5: Taurid Meteor Shower 1st peak (10/hr and enhanced by dark night)
Mon. 11: Full Moon
Weds. 12: Full Moon and Taurid Meteor Shower 2nd peak (2/hr washed out by moonlight)
Thurs. 13: Full Moon
Mon. 18: Leonid Meteor Shower (20/hr before midnight and moon rise)
Mon. 25: New Moon
Tues. 26: New Moon
Wed. 27: New Moon
Fri. 29: Conjunction of crescent Moon, Saturn and Pluto after sunset. 7pm start time to see this event
Tues. 5: Taurid Meteor Shower 1st peak (10/hr and enhanced by dark night)
Mon. 11: Full Moon
Weds. 12: Full Moon and Taurid Meteor Shower 2nd peak (2/hr washed out by moonlight)
Thurs. 13: Full Moon
Mon. 18: Leonid Meteor Shower (20/hr before midnight and moon rise)
Mon. 25: New Moon
Tues. 26: New Moon
Wed. 27: New Moon
Fri. 29: Conjunction of crescent Moon, Saturn and Pluto after sunset. 7pm start time to see this event
DECEMBER (Winter) 8:00pm start time
Tues. 10: Full Moon
Weds. 11: Full Moon
Thurs. 12: Full Moon
Sat. 14: Geminid Meteor Shower (20/hr washed out by moon light)
Sun. 22: Ursid Meteor Shower (10/hr before mid
Tues. 24: New Moon and Mars and Neptune conjunction (the Red and Blue planet in same eyepiece)
Wed. 25: New Moon
Thurs. 26: New Moon
Tues. 10: Full Moon
Weds. 11: Full Moon
Thurs. 12: Full Moon
Sat. 14: Geminid Meteor Shower (20/hr washed out by moon light)
Sun. 22: Ursid Meteor Shower (10/hr before mid
Tues. 24: New Moon and Mars and Neptune conjunction (the Red and Blue planet in same eyepiece)
Wed. 25: New Moon
Thurs. 26: New Moon
2019'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.
