On any given clear night in Mammoth Lakes, a simple glance up to the sky will amaze you. Thanks to our high elevation and very low light pollution, stargazing here is spectacular. And this month, it’s even more special than usual!
From now until around mid February, multiple planets will be visible to the naked eye, an alignment that is an uncommon treat for astronomy lovers. Learn more about this special occurrence and how to enjoy it up here in the mountains!
What is so special about a planetary alignment?
Some rumors have been circulating that this planetary alignment is the first one of its kind in, like, a billion years. But actually, planetary alignments aren’t so rare. They come around about every couple of years. Still, it doesn’t happen every year, so this is the perfect time to take advantage.
This year, the informally-called “planetary parade” will feature Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars in plain view. And, if you look closer (even better if you have a telescope), you’ll be able to see Uranus and Neptune as well.
Something special about this occurrence is that it’s taking place at just the right time during our lunar cycle! The moon is currently in the waning crescent phase and will be less and less bright as the month goes on. By January 29, we’ll have a new moon, which means that you’ll more easily be able to see the stars and planets.
Where is the best place to go stargazing in Mammoth Lakes?
Some of our favorite spots for stargazing, like Minaret Vista and Horseshoe Lake, are closed for the season, so you might be wondering where to see the planetary alignment. Luckily, our area has no shortage of great stargazing real estate, such as:
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Hot Springs off Benton Crossing Road. If you’re looking to sit back and relax in a natural hot spring while stargazing, head down to the Hot Springs off Benton Crossing Road.
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Town Loop Bike Path. The stretch of the Town Loop Bike Path that runs from Old Mammoth Road to the College Parkway Bike Path Connector will give you a wide open view without too many trees or peaks to get in your way.
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Crowley Lake. Unlike many of the other lakes in the area, Crowley Lake offers a night sky view unobstructed by mountains or trees, making it an ideal stargazing spot.
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Right in your own parking lot. If you don’t feel like getting in the car and going somewhere to see the planetary alignment, you might be able to catch a glimpse from your Mammoth Mountain Reservations condo! After all, anywhere in Mammoth is a good place to look up at the stars.
Best practices for stargazing in Mammoth Lakes
To be sure, January is not a time of the year that we typically spend long amounts of time outside. So, here’s what we would recommend for the most comfortable and safe experience:
- Don’t forget to check the weather. Weather can change fast up here in the mountains, so make sure to check and double check that you’ll have clear skies before heading out.
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Bundle up. Nighttime temperatures easily hit below freezing this time of year. And some nights might even get down into the teens and twenties. So, you’ll want to dress even more warmly than you would for a day on the slopes.
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Get some hand warmers. You might be pulling your hands out of your gloves to check your stargazing app (more on that in a moment) or adjusting your telescope. So, stock up on some hand warmers to keep those fingers toasty!
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Wear reflective clothing. Anytime that you’re out and about at night in Mammoth Lakes, it’s a good idea to wear reflective clothing. As we mentioned, we have very low light pollution here in the mountains, but that also means that there are some areas that are not well-lit.
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Have a “look-out.” If you’re going to set up your equipment in a parking lot or beside a road, make sure that you assign one person to be your safety look-out for incoming cars.
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Fill up a thermos. It doesn’t matter if you fill it up with hot chocolate, coffee, or tea, you’re going to be glad you brought something to warm you up.
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Don’t traverse unfamiliar or snow-covered roads. There’s nothing that can ruin your stargazing experience faster than getting your car stuck in the snow. So, stick to areas that are well-groomed or that you know your car can handle.
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Set up all equipment inside and then carefully carry it outside. Remember that scene in a Christmas Story when the grumpy dad changes a tire in the snowy darkness only to accidentally knock all of the bolts out of Ralphie’s hand? Yeah, it didn’t look like a good time. So, make sure that you prepare, adjust, and tinker with your tripod, binoculars, DSLR camera or telescope before heading out.
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Know what you’re looking for. Finally, make sure that before you get outside, you know what to look for! There are multiple apps, such as Star Walk 2 and Sky Tonight, that can help you identify and locate the planets and notable stars
Let us know how you plan on taking in the planetary alignment of 2025!
Whether you’ll be watching from the backyard of your home or joining us in the mountains for this spectacular event, we want to know! And, if anyone could explain to us what this planetary parade will do for our astrology forecast, well, you know where to find us!
Mammoth Mountain Reservations has condos available for your next stargazing adventure in the Eastern Sierra!