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Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Centre

Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Centre

Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Bedforshire, LU6 2GY

Best time to visit

National Trust Visitor Centre atop the Dunstable Downs with fantastic views of the skies above and clear horizons all round.

Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Centre is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Location events organiser

National Trust

National Trust organises events at this location

Please contact National Trust directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: National Trust
Twitter: @nationaltrust
Facebook: National Trust

Weather forecast

  • 26/04/24

    9° 7%

  • 26/04/24

    7° 8%

  • 27/04/24

    6° 13%

  • 27/04/24

    5° 23%

Weather forecast for Dunstable (1.6 miles away) updated 26/04/24 at 04:00.

Local light pollution

Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to asuburban suburban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Dunstable Downs Chilterns Gateway Centre

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Fri 26th Apr

Fri 26th Apr

Waning Gibbous
96 % illuminated
Dark from 20:44 to 22:55
Dark for 2h 10m
Moon phase on Sat 27th Apr

Sat 27th Apr

Waning Gibbous
91 % illuminated
Dark from 20:46 to 00:07
Dark for 3h 20m
Moon phase on Sun 28th Apr

Sun 28th Apr

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 20:49 to 01:06
Dark for 4h 16m
Moon phase on Mon 29th Apr

Mon 29th Apr

Waning Gibbous
76 % illuminated
Dark from 20:51 to 01:49
Dark for 4h 57m
Moon phase on Tue 30th Apr

Tue 30th Apr

Third Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 20:53 to 02:19
Dark for 5h 25m
Moon phase on Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 20:56 to 02:40
Dark for 5h 43m
Moon phase on Thu 2nd May

Thu 2nd May

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 20:58 to 02:57
Dark for 5h 58m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Royal Institution Public Talk – Discourse: Decoding the big bang

    Friday 26th April 2024 from 19:20pm to 20:50pm

    The Royal Institution, London, W1S 4BS (29.8 miles away)

    More info

  • South West Herts Astronomical Society Meeting

    Friday 26th April 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Royal Masonic School for Girls, Watford, WD3 4HF (15.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Maidenhead Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    St James-the-Less Church Hall, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (25.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Milton Keynes Astronomical Society – informal astromeet

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Rectory Cottages - Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK63 6BJ (12.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Aylesbury Astronomical Society meeting

    Monday 6th May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Aylesbury Scout Hut, Aylesbury, HP20 1LL (11.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

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