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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

  • 16/04/24

    7° 40%

  • 16/04/24

    6° 12%

  • 17/04/24

    5° 11%

  • 17/04/24

    4° 3%

Weather forecast for Dunstable (1.6 miles away) updated 16/04/24 at 16:00.

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 Tue 16th Apr

Tue 16th Apr

First Quarter
52 % illuminated
Dark from 03:25 to 03:38
Dark for 0h 13m
Moon phase on Wed 17th Apr

Wed 17th Apr

First Quarter
62 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 18th Apr

Thu 18th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
71 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 19th Apr

Fri 19th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 20th Apr

Sat 20th Apr

Waxing Gibbous
86 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 21st Apr

Sun 21st Apr

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 22nd Apr

Mon 22nd Apr

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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

  • Piazzi Smyth Observatory observing session

    Wednesday 17th April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Piazzi Smyth Observatory, Bedford, MK40 2LD (19.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Wycombe Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Wednesday 17th April 2024 from 20:00pm to 21:00pm

    Coleshill Village Hall, Coleshill, HP7 0LN (15.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Milton Keynes Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 19th April 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

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

    More info

  • Hampstead Garden Suburb Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 24th April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Free Church Hall - Northway, Northway, NW11 7AG (24.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Letchworth and District Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 24th April 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Letchworth Observatory, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN (15.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

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