Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app

Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

Dalby Forest, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LT

Best time to visit

Located in the heart of Dalby Forest this location benefits from fantastic dark skies and two observatories hosting stargazing events run by Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society.

Dalby Forest Visitor Centre is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Location events organiser

Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society

Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society organises events at this location

Please contact Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society
Twitter: @scarbastro
Facebook: Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society

Weather forecast

  • 30/04/24

    13° 0%

  • 30/04/24

    11° 0%

  • 01/05/24

    9° 2%

  • 01/05/24

    9° 51%

Weather forecast for Dalby Forest (0.1 miles away) updated 30/04/24 at 12:00.

Local light pollution

Dalby Forest Visitor Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to arural 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 Dalby Forest Visitor 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 30th Apr

Tue 30th Apr

Third Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 21:11 to 02:34
Dark for 5h 22m
Moon phase on Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 21:14 to 02:42
Dark for 5h 27m
Moon phase on Thu 2nd May

Thu 2nd May

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 21:16 to 02:39
Dark for 5h 22m
Moon phase on Fri 3rd May

Fri 3rd May

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 21:19 to 02:36
Dark for 5h 16m
Moon phase on Sat 4th May

Sat 4th May

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 21:22 to 02:33
Dark for 5h 10m
Moon phase on Sun 5th May

Sun 5th May

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 21:25 to 02:30
Dark for 5h 4m
Moon phase on Mon 6th May

Mon 6th May

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 21:28 to 02:27
Dark for 4h 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

  • Night Navigation Experience – North York Moors

    Saturday 26th October 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Blacksmiths Arms - Lastingham, Lastingham, YO62 6TN (8.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Thursday 31st October 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX (21.2 miles away)

    More info

  • The York Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 1st November 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Beetle Bank Farm, Murton, YO19 5XD (24.8 miles away)

    More info

  • The York Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 15th November 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Beetle Bank Farm, Murton, YO19 5XD (24.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Full Moon Walk in the North York Moors

    Sunday 17th November 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, Near Thirsk, YO7 2EH (21.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Gumboots & Wellingtons

    Ellerburn, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LL (2.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Rawcliffe House Farm

    Stape, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8JA (4.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Middlehead Cottages – Stape

    Stape, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8HY (4.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Noelle’s Cottages – Middleton Hall

    Middleton Hall, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8NX (4.7 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Cropton Cabins Holiday Park

    Cropton, Wrelton, North Yorkshire, YO18 8ES (6.5 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Lahtle Wood Glamping

    Carr Lane, East Hesleterton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8RP (8.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info