Join us this summer in 29 Palms and discover the Mojave Desert’s stunning dark night skies bursting with stars and dazzling meteor showers, and a breathtaking Milky Way!
From constellation tours and star parties at Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center, to upcoming solar and lunar eclipses, and evening programs at Joshua Tree National Park – an officially designated IDA International Dark Sky Park – there are incredible stargazing opportunities awaiting you in 29 Palms this summer. Plan your summer visit today!
Celestial summer night sky guide:
JUNE
- Monday, June 3 – New Moon
- Monday, June 10 – First Quarter
- Monday, June 17 – Full Moon
- Friday, June 21 – SUMMER SOLSTICE
- Tuesday, June 25 – Last Quarter
JULY
- Tuesday, July 2 – New Moon + SOLAR ECLIPSE
- Tuesday, July 9 – First Quarter
- Tuesday, July 16 – Full Moon + LUNAR ECPLISE
- Thursday, July 25 – Last Quarter +
- Sunday, July 28 – METEOR SHOWER PEAK
AUGUST
- Thursday, August 1 – New Moon
- Wednesday, August 7 – First Quarter
- Monday, August 12 – METEOR SHOWER PEAK
- Thursday, August 15 – Full Moon
Best stargazing experiences in 29 Palms:
Star Parties at Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
9697 Utah Trail, 29 Palms, CA 92277
Free public star parties are offered every Saturday, except on nights when the moon is full. Explore deep space with knowledgeable and passionate astronomers, learn about the prominent constellations and have your breath taken away by the summer milky way! Star parties start
about an hour after sunset and last approximately two hours.
Book a private stargazing party with the 29 Palms Astronomy Club
Whether you’re looking to spend an evening under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park or from the comfort of the patio of your hotel or vacation rental, the 29 Palms Astronomy Club will come to you! They offer fantastic private stargazing experiences, and cover the national park as well as the entire Morongo Basin area.
Discover the night sky in Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive, 29 Palms, CA 92277
Recognized as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, Joshua Tree National Park offers spectacular stargazing opportunities throughout the year, boasting some of the darkest skies in southern California. Relax under the stars at one of the evening programs hosted at Jumbo Rocks Campground, every Saturday from 8:30pm – 9:30pm from June 1 – August 19, 2019.
Stargazing Checklist:
Bring a red-light flashlight – Avoid standard flashlights and headlamps with bright white light and either purchase a red-light flashlight, or convert your regular flashlight by coloring it with a red sharpie or covering it with red cellophane.
Bring warm layers – Be prepared for temperatures to drop quickly in the evening so be sure to bring extra layers of warm clothing.
Pack food and water – Don’t let a rumbling stomach distract you from enjoying the stars, or assume you won’t need water. The Mojave Desert is an extremely dry and hot place, even on summer evenings so bring at least 2 liters of water per person.
Bring a comfortable chair – Since you’ll be spending a long evening looking up into the sky you’ll want to have a lightweight camping chair to give your legs a break from standing, and so you can sit back and enjoy the show, especially during meteor shower peaks!
Avoid stargazing when the moon is full – Check the moon’s phase and try and get out during the new moon phase in order to see the stars at their brightest!
For more information and inspiration on stargazing in southern California, tune in to the first-ever Road Trips: Searching for Stars episode of the California Now Podcast as host Soterios Johnson gets out of the studio and explores Southern California’s awe-inspiring night sky!
Be sure to pick up a copy of the special road trip issue:
California Road Trips: 50 Life-Changing Adventures
