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The Beacon Observatory - University of Kent

The Beacon Observatory - University of Kent

Kent Community Oasis Garden, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ

Best time to visit

Enthusiastic research astronomers from the University of Kent, Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, with the support of local amateur astronomers forming the Beacon Astronomy Group, organise public open evenings at the Beacon Observatory near Canterbury on select dates throughout the year, mostly during term time.

To find out when the observatory may be open, please see the Beacon Astronomy Group Facebook page or sign up to the official mailing list for event notifications.

Location events organiser

Beacon Astronomy Group organises events at this location

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

Email: [email protected]
Website: Beacon Astronomy Group
Facebook: Beacon Astronomy Group

Weather forecast

  • 02/06/24

    15° 0%

  • 02/06/24

    13° 0%

  • 03/06/24

    12° 0%

  • 03/06/24

    11° 0%

Weather forecast for Canterbury (1.7 miles away) updated 02/06/24 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

The Beacon Observatory - University of Kent is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to asemi-rural semi-rural 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 The Beacon Observatory - University of Kent

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 Sun 2nd Jun

Sun 2nd Jun

Waning Crescent
25 % illuminated
Dark from 21:56 to 01:49
Dark for 3h 52m
Moon phase on Mon 3rd Jun

Mon 3rd Jun

Waning Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 21:57 to 01:48
Dark for 3h 50m
Moon phase on Tue 4th Jun

Tue 4th Jun

Waning Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 21:59 to 01:47
Dark for 3h 47m
Moon phase on Wed 5th Jun

Wed 5th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:01 to 01:46
Dark for 3h 44m
Moon phase on Thu 6th Jun

Thu 6th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:02 to 01:45
Dark for 3h 42m
Moon phase on Fri 7th Jun

Fri 7th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:04 to 01:44
Dark for 3h 39m
Moon phase on Sat 8th Jun

Sat 8th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:47 to 01:43
Dark for 2h 56m

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at The Beacon Observatory - University of Kent. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

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