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Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

Craigton Avenue, Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 8AZ

Best time to visit

Nature reserve on the outskirts of Inverness and away from the worst of the city’s light pollution, this location is frequently the venue for free public stargazing events organised by Highland Astronomy Tours.

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve 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

Highland Astronomy

Highland Astronomy organises events at this location

Please contact Highland Astronomy directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Highland Astronomy
Facebook: Highland Astronomy

Weather forecast

  • 25/04/24

    6° 44%

  • 25/04/24

    5° 12%

  • 26/04/24

    4° 6%

  • 26/04/24

    4° 5%

Weather forecast for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Fc (1.2 miles away) updated 25/04/24 at 12:00.

Local light pollution

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve 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 Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

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 Thu 25th Apr

Thu 25th Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
Dark from 21:37 to 22:31
Dark for 0h 53m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Apr

Fri 26th Apr

Waning Gibbous
96 % illuminated
Dark from 21:40 to 00:02
Dark for 2h 21m
Moon phase on Sat 27th Apr

Sat 27th Apr

Waning Gibbous
91 % illuminated
Dark from 21:44 to 01:23
Dark for 3h 38m
Moon phase on Sun 28th Apr

Sun 28th Apr

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 21:47 to 02:21
Dark for 4h 33m
Moon phase on Mon 29th Apr

Mon 29th Apr

Waning Gibbous
76 % illuminated
Dark from 21:51 to 02:33
Dark for 4h 41m
Moon phase on Tue 30th Apr

Tue 30th Apr

Third Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 21:55 to 02:29
Dark for 4h 33m
Moon phase on Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 21:58 to 02:25
Dark for 4h 26m

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

  • Highlands Astronomical Society meeting

    Tuesday 7th May 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    The Café at Smithton Church, Smithton, IV2 7YU (4.0 miles away)

    More info

  • The Night Sky Show in Inverness

    Sunday 27th October 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:15pm

    Eden Court Inverness, Inverness, IV3 5SA (1.6 miles away)

    More info

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