Where to meet: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center: 301 River Rd, Harrison, NE 69346

What to expect:

• 7:00-9:00 Hike with a ranger to explore the evening prairie sights and sounds.
• 9:00-10:00 View the alignment of the moon with the planets.

On the evening of June 28, 2025, skywatchers at Agate Fossil Beds will have the rare opportunity to witness a close celestial pairing of the waxing crescent Moon and the planet Mars. Just after sunset, the two bodies will appear less than a fifth of a degree apart—close enough to nearly touch from our vantage point. This kind of alignment is a striking reminder of the dynamic motion of our solar system and is best viewed from a dark-sky location with clear western horizons. Mars’ reddish hue will be especially vivid beside the pale glow of the crescent moon, offering a beautiful and memorable scene for the naked eye or binoculars.

What to bring:

• Wear layers as temperatures cool into the evening.
• Bug spray is recommended.
• Bring a red flashlight or a regular one that a ranger will adapt to a red one for you.
• A camp chair or blanket is recommended for the dark sky portion of the evening.

Questions? Contact the park: 308-436-9776