Event Planning

The sky is different every month !!! 

Use the information below to help plan your stargazing event. Be sure to see our list of equipment which is available for your event.


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To help you plan any events that you would like an astronomy or stargazing program for, we have put together some recommendations. The recommendations are based on Arizona Mountain Standard Time for programs starting after sunset and ending between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

For each month we have identified the approximate sunset times for the beginning and ending of the month.

Since most students and groups we work with enjoy and get a great thrill at looking at the moon, the prime viewing dates are around the first quarter moon, when some fine lunar detail can be observed.

For each month we have listed the planets that are visible all month at approximately 8:00 PM.


The best months for early evening viewing of Mars are December 2007 through August 2008.

The best months for early evening viewing of Jupiter are July 2008 through November 2008 and
August 2009 through December 2009.

The best months for early evening viewing of Saturn are February 2008 through July 2008 and
March 2009 through August 2009

Please use the following information to plan any events you would like our support with. We can help you select dates that would show the best night sky objects for your group.

Go to our Fee Schedule Page for a listing of our program fees.

School purchase orders are accepted.
All major credit cards and school purchase cards are accepted
for an additional processing fee.

For more information on availability and to get a quote

call Tony or Carole at (623) 979 - 1393,

or e-mail to: Tony@stargazingforeveryone.com




January 2008

Sunset 5:31 PM - 5:58 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Uranus

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
12 - 19

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
20 - 25

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 11, 26 - 31

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February 2008

Sunset 5:59 PM - 6:25 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
10 - 17

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
18 - 23

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 8, 24 - 29

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March 2008

Sunset 6:26 PM - 6:48 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
11 - 17

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
18 -23

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 10, 24 -31

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April 2008

Sunset 6:49 PM - 7:11 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
9 - 15

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
16 - 21

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 8, 22 - 30

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May 2008

Sunset 7:12 PM - 7:33 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
9 - 14

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
15 - 21

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 8, 22 - 31

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June 2008

Sunset 7:33 PM - 7:42 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
7 - 12

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
13 - 19

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 6, 20 - 30

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July 2008

Sunset 7:42 PM - 7:28 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
6 - 12

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
13 - 21

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 5, 22 - 31

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August 2008

Sunset 7:28 PM - 6:54 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Mars and Jupiter
Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
5 - 10

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
11 - 20

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 4, 21 - 31

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September 2008

Sunset 6:54 PM - 6:14 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
4 - 11

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
12 - 18

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 - 3, 19 - 30

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October 2008

Sunset 6:13 PM - 5:37 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
3 - 11

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
12 - 17

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
1 -2, 18 - 31

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November 2008

Sunset 5:36 PM - 5:20 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 -8, 30

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
9 - 15

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
16 - 29

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December 2008

Sunset 5:20 PM - 5:31 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Venus, Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 8, 30 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
9 - 14

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
15 - 29

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January 2009

Sunset 5:31 PM - 5:59 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Venus and Uranus

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 6, 29 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
7 - 12

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
13 - 28

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February 2009

Sunset 6:00 PM - 6:25 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Venus

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 5, 27 - 28

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
6 - 10

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
11 - 26

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March 2009

Sunset 6:25 PM - 6:48 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 6, 29 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
7 - 12

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
13 - 28

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April 2009

Sunset 6:49 PM - 7:10 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 5, 27 - 30

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
6 - 10

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
11 - 26 

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May 2009

Sunset 7:11 PM - 7:32 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 4, 27 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
5 - 9

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
10 - 26

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June 2009

Sunset 7:33 PM - 7:42 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 4, 25 - 30

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
5 - 8

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
9 - 24

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July 2009

Sunset 7:42 PM - 7:29 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Venus, Jupiter and Saturn

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1 - 4, 24 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
5 - 8

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
9 - 23

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August 2009

Sunset 7:28 PM - 6:55 PM
Planets Visible All Month: None

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1, 24 - 31

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
2 - 8

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
9 - 23

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September 2009

Sunset 6:54 PM - 6:14 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Jupiter and Uranus

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
1, 22 - 29

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
2 - 8, 30

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
9 - 21

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October 2009

Sunset 6:13 PM - 5:37 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
21 - 29

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
1 - 7, 30 - 31

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
8 - 20

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November 2009

Sunset 5:36 PM - 5:20 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
19 - 29

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
1 - 6, 30

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
7 - 18

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December 2009

Sunset 5:20 PM - 5:30 PM
Planets Visible All Month: Uranus

Recommended viewing/program dates: 
This is around the first quarter moon; constellations can be identified, best time to view the craters on the moon and other lunar features. 
19 - 27

Limited viewing dates: 
This is around the full moon; best time to view the lunar ray systems, the brightness of the moon washes out most viewable objects, constellations difficult to identify. 
1 - 4, 28 - 31

Dark Sky dates: 
This is when little or no moon is visible; best for constellation viewing and for more advanced students to see deep space objects such as star clusters and galaxies. 
5 - 18

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Copyright © 2000 - 2008
Stargazing For Everyone, LLC
All rights reserved.
Revised: 17 January 2008