The Milky Way can be clearly seen in the night sky in Mariposa and Yosemite National Park on clear nights.
One of the things I love most about Meadow Creek Ranch are all the stars you can see with no lights around. Some of our guests come with their telescopes or to watch meteor showers. You can join one of the star gazing tours in Yosemite at this link: http://www.yosemitepark.com/stargazing-tour.aspx
Spotting meteors is common all year long and they can be quite brilliant in our darker skies, but if you would like to see one of the spectacular shows away from city lights you might want to schedule your trip around these meteor showers in 2014:
| Name | Date of Peak | Moon |
|---|---|---|
| Quadrantids | Night of January 2 | Just past new |
| Lyrids | Night of April 21 | Rises around 3 a.m. |
| Eta Aquarids | Night of May 5 | Sets after midnight |
| Comet 209P/LINEAR | Night of May 23 | Early morning crescent |
| Perseids | Night of August 12 | In view most of the night |
| Orionids | Night of October 21 | Dawn crescent |
| Leonids | Nights of November 16/17 | Early morning crescent |
| Geminids | Night of December 13 | In view after midnight |
NOTES These are approximate times for the Lower 48 states; actual shower times can vary. Bright moonlight makes it difficult to see all but the brightest meteors.