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Elan Valley - Craig Goch Dam

Elan Valley - Craig Goch Dam

Elan Valley, Rhayader , Powys, LD6 5HP, Wales

Best time to visit

Remote location free from light pollution, visit on a night with no moon for the best starry skies!

Elan Valley - Craig Goch Dam 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.

Weather forecast

  • 05/05/24

    12° 82%

  • 05/05/24

    10° 87%

  • 06/05/24

    10° 14%

  • 06/05/24

    9° 8%

Weather forecast for Rhayader (4.8 miles away) updated 05/05/24 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

Elan Valley - Craig Goch Dam is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to adark site dark site 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 Elan Valley - Craig Goch Dam

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 5th May

Sun 5th May

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 21:21 to 02:58
Dark for 5h 36m
Moon phase on Mon 6th May

Mon 6th May

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 21:23 to 02:55
Dark for 5h 31m
Moon phase on Tue 7th May

Tue 7th May

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 21:26 to 02:53
Dark for 5h 26m
Moon phase on Wed 8th May

Wed 8th May

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 21:28 to 02:50
Dark for 5h 21m
Moon phase on Thu 9th May

Thu 9th May

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 22:30 to 02:48
Dark for 4h 18m
Moon phase on Fri 10th May

Fri 10th May

Waxing Crescent
5 % illuminated
Dark from 23:45 to 02:45
Dark for 3h 0m
Moon phase on Sat 11th May

Sat 11th May

Waxing Crescent
10 % illuminated
Dark from 00:40 to 02:43
Dark for 2h 3m

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

  • Newtown Astronomy Society meeting and observing

    Saturday 8th March 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Plas Dolerw, Newtown, SY16 2EH (19.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Newtown Astronomy Society meeting and observing

    Saturday 12th April 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Plas Dolerw, Newtown, SY16 2EH (19.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Newtown Astronomy Society meeting and observing

    Saturday 10th May 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Plas Dolerw, Newtown, SY16 2EH (19.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Newtown Astronomy Society meeting and observing

    Saturday 14th June 2025 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Plas Dolerw, Newtown, SY16 2EH (19.3 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp

    Cwmsawdde Farm, Llanddeusant, Dyfed, SA19 9UP (28.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Talgarth Shepherd Hut

    Talgarth, Brecon, Powys, LD3 (29.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info