Twentynine Palms is an ideal destination for stargazing — especially come summer. Bordering Joshua Tree National Park and home to the park's North Entrance, Twentynine Palms is an essential stop on any astronomer's itinerary and a mesmerizing place to ponder at the celestial heavens. Certified as an official Dark Sky Park in 2017, Joshua Tree National Park is proud of its starry night skies and park rangers encourage visitors to explore the park in the evening hours in order to beat the summer heat. Here's everything you should know about what's in the sky this summer, the best viewing spots, and outer space-themed events that are fun for the whole family.

Area 29 Galactic Gathering Event August 2024 Twentynine Palms California

UFO-Themed Fun

Those interested in alien life will enjoy a UFO-themed event launching this summer in Twentynine Palms. Area 29: Galactic Gathering is a UFO festival and meteor shower watch party taking place during the Perseid meteor showers! From Thursday, August 8 to Sunday, August 11, participants can attend parties, presentations, screenings, lectures, and more — culminating with local "dark sky zone" sky watch parties on Monday, August 12 and Tuesday, August 13 during the peak nights of the Perseids! Connect with UFO experts and filmmakers, check out the stars through state-of-the-art telescopes, and so much more!

 

Summer Milky Way Viewing Twentynine Palms California

Viewing the Milky Way in Summer

During the summer months of July and August, the Milky Way is particularly spectacular and offers some of the best views for stargazing. Here are a few reasons why the Milky Way is special during this time:

Visibility of the Galactic Center: The core of the Milky Way galaxy, which is the brightest and most photogenic part, is visible in the Northern Hemisphere during summer. This is because the Earth's tilt and orbit position us in a way that allows a clear view of the dense star fields and dark dust lanes of the galactic core.

Longer Nights: Although summer days are longer, the nights are warmer and often clearer — offering more comfortable conditions for stargazing. The Milky Way is visible for much of the night, from dusk to dawn.

High in the Sky: The Milky Way arches high overhead in the summer, making it easier to see from many locations. This high positioning minimizes atmospheric distortion and light pollution from the horizon — providing clearer views.

Rich Star Fields and Nebulae: The Milky Way in summer is filled with numerous star clusters, nebulae, and other celestial objects. Regions like the Sagittarius and Scorpius constellations are rich with deep-sky objects, providing a stunning view through telescopes or binoculars.

These factors combine to make the summer months an ideal time to observe and photograph the Milky Way, especially from Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park!

 

The Summer Triangle  A Guiding Light for Stargazers

During the warm summer nights of July and August, the "Summer Triangle" becomes a prominent feature in the sky over Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park. This asterism, formed by the bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair, is an essential guide for stargazers. The Summer Triangle not only helps in navigating the night sky but also serves as a gateway to exploring other fascinating celestial objects. Within its bounds, you can find the famous Ring Nebula in Lyra, the North America Nebula in Cygnus, and many other star clusters and deep-sky wonders.

Here are some tips for finding the Summer Triangle:

Look for Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, which is often depicted as a harp or lyra. It is one of the most luminous stars visible in the sky during summer and can be easily spotted overhead in the early evening.

Locate Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila, which is often depicted as an eagle. Altair, along with two fainter stars on either side, forms a distinct line and is found towards the southeast of Vega.

Deneb, the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus, lies to the northeast of Vega. Deneb completes the triangle and marks the tailfeather of the constellation Cygnus, which is often depicted as a swan.

 

Meteor Showers to Spot

Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower

Duration: July 18 – August 21
Peak: July 28-31

Get ready for a celestial show as the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks from July 28–31. Although the waning gibbous and last quarter moon will light up the sky past midnight, the best time to catch these meteors is before the moon rises, from late July to early August. The optimal viewing window extends from mid-evening to dawn. The Delta Aquariids peak on July 30, 2024, at 15:16 UTC (8:15 a.m. PDT). While this meteor shower doesn’t have a sharp peak, it maintains a steady rate from late July through early August, often blending with the Perseids.

In a dark sky with no moon, you can expect to see 15 to 20 Delta Aquariid meteors per hour. Early August provides a good chance to see these meteors mixed in with the Perseids. The Delta Aquariids favor the Southern Hemisphere but are also visible from southern U.S. latitudes. The radiant point for the Delta Aquariids is near the faint star Skat (Delta Aquarii), rising in mid-evening and reaching its highest point around 2 a.m.

Delta Aquariid meteors are typically fainter than Perseids, making a moon-free, dark sky essential for viewing. Approximately 5% to 10% of Delta Aquariid meteors leave persistent trains — glowing ionized gas trails that linger for a second or two after the meteor passes.

 

Perseid Meteor Shower

Duration: July 14 – September 1
Peak: August 12-13

Mark your calendars for one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year — the Perseid Meteor Shower, peaking on the nights of August 12 and 13. This meteor shower is renowned for its abundance of bright, colorful meteors and is a favorite for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Perseids are predicted to peak on August 12, 2024, at 14:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. PDT). The best viewing times are the mornings of August 11, 12, and 13, starting around midnight and continuing until just before dawn. As the night progresses, the number of visible meteors typically increases.

Under a dark sky with no moon, skywatchers often report seeing up to 90 meteors per hour. Fortunately, the first quarter moon will set around midnight, ensuring dark skies are ideal for viewing the Perseids. The Perseid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, located near the famous Double Cluster. However, the meteors can be seen streaking across the sky in various directions. The Perseid meteor shower is known for its colorful meteors, which often leave persistent trains of glowing ionized gas that can linger for several seconds. The meteors in this shower burn up approximately 60 miles (100 km) above the Earth's surface, creating a spectacular show.

 

Joshua Tree National Park Night Sky

Stargazing Tips From the National Park Service

Before you head out to spot the constellations, make sure you leave prepared. Night temperatures in the High Desert drop quickly, so be sure to bring extra layers. Food and water are not available in the park so bring enough for your visit and then extra. Tell a friend or family member of your travel plans in advance as there is no cell service in the park, and use red lights instead of white lights. These lights are better for night vision and reduce light pollution.

 

Traffic & Parking: What to Expect

Joshua Tree National Park is anticipating a traffic surge due to the 2024 Perseids meteor shower. Local communities, businesses, and visitors should expect increased traffic to the park from August 10 to August 12, 2024. 

Many people visit Joshua Tree National Park due to its proximity to large cities, so expect delays that can take up to several hours on major roadways and park roads during astrological events. From sunset to 2 a.m., expect continuous traffic on major park roads.

Bright headlights may impact the quality of your night sky viewing if you're stuck in traffic, so it is best to arrive to your stargazing destination before sunset. Parking is also limited within the park and often fills up before sunset during the Perseids meteor shower so arriving early will help you get a spot! Only park in designated parking areas within the park, as parking on vegetation or driving over curbs is subject to citation.

Buying entrance passes ahead of time on Recreation.gov can minimize delays entering the park. While visiting the park during these events, please respect the local communities and the park. Pack out all your trash, and keep artificial light and sound use to a minimum. Open fires are not permitted anywhere in the park. Cell service is unreliable, and there is no food or water available to purchase inside the park. Consider downloading the park app to use offline while visiting.  

If you wish to avoid the crowds altogether, other neighboring public lands are also ideal for stargazing, such as Mojave National Preserve, Amboy CraterMojave Trails National Monument, Cadiz Dunes Wilderness, and Sheephole Valley Wilderness.

 

Leave No Trace: Protecting the Park

When you visit Joshua Tree National Park or other state or federally protected land, make sure to leave no trace. Please pack in and out all of your trash, especially if trash cans in the park are full. Do not smoke near vegetation and dispose of cigarette butts in a waste bin. Charcoal and wood fires are not permitted during dry season from June 15 to October 1. Be respectful of other people and wildlife and avoid using bright lights and playing loud music so both animals and visitors can enjoy the night sky in peace.