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Hampstead Observatory

Hampstead Observatory

Hampstead Grove, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DU

Best time to visit

The Hampstead Observatory, lovingly refurbished by the dedicated and enthusiastic astronomers from the Hampstead Scientific Society and re-opened in September 2019 is home to a stunning 6″ Cooke refracting telescope which offers stunning views of the skies above London. The facility is opened to the public every Friday and Saturday night (strictly weather permitting) during the observing season from mid-September through to mid-April (closed during Summer months), with tickets being made available at short notice via their Eventbrite page.

Location events organiser

Hampstead Scientific Society

Hampstead Scientific Society organises events at this location

Please contact Hampstead Scientific Society directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Hampstead Scientific Society
Facebook: Hampstead Scientific Society

Weather forecast

  • 04/10/25

    11° 1%

  • 04/10/25

    11° 0%

  • 05/10/25

    10° 0%

  • 05/10/25

    10° 0%

Weather forecast for Hampstead (0.1 miles away) updated 04/10/25 at 16:02.

Local light pollution

Hampstead Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to an urban 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 Hampstead Observatory

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 Sat 4th Oct

Sat 4th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
Dark from 03:37 to 04:56
Dark for 1h 19m
Moon phase on Sun 5th Oct

Sun 5th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
94 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 6th Oct

Mon 6th Oct

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 7th Oct

Tue 7th Oct

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 8th Oct

Wed 8th Oct

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 9th Oct

Thu 9th Oct

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 10th Oct

Fri 10th Oct

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 18:30 to 05:06
Dark for 10h 35m

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

  • Royal Institution Public Talk – Searching for the invisible universe

    Saturday 4th October 2025 from 19:00pm to 20:30pm

    The Royal Institution, London, W1S 4BS (3.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Kenley Observatory Public Open Evening

    Saturday 4th October 2025 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Norman Fisher Observatory at Kenley, Kenley, CR8 5EP (18.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Moon celebration weekend

    Sunday 5th October 2025 from 10:00am to 17:00pm

    National Maritime Museum, London, SE10 9NF (9.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Harvest Moon Night Walk at Bore Place

    Tuesday 7th October 2025 from 00:00am to 20:30pm

    Bore Place Country House and Outdoor Education Centre, Edenbridge, TN8 7AR (27.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Hertford Astronomy Group meeting

    Wednesday 8th October 2025 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm

    University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AA (13.6 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

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