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OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

Davagh Forest, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT79 8JH

Best time to visit

Scheduled to open in April 2020 and unfortunately delayed to coronavirus the visitor centre in Davagh Forest will enable easy access to nearby mountain bike trail routes and forest walks by day and exploration of the fantastic dark skies by night. The centre is home to an observatory equipped with a large 14″ aperture telescope perfect for observing the Universe above!

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory 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

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory organises events at this location

Please contact OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.omdarksky.com/
Twitter: @omdarksky
Facebook: OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

Weather forecast

  • 16/05/22

    12° 7%

  • 16/05/22

    12° 46%

  • 17/05/22

    10° 0%

  • 17/05/22

    9° 2%

Weather forecast for Slieveavaddy (3.6 miles away) updated 16/05/22 at 20:00.

Local light pollution

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to adark site dark site location based on data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of OM Dark Sky Park and 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.

Mon 16th May

Full Moon
100% illuminated
NO DARKNESS

Tue 17th May

Full Moon
99% illuminated
Dark from 22:30 to 23:03
Dark for 0h 32m

Wed 18th May

Waning Gibbous
95% illuminated
Dark from 22:33 to 00:20
Dark for 1h 46m

Thu 19th May

Waning Gibbous
89% illuminated
Dark from 22:36 to 01:16
Dark for 2h 39m

Fri 20th May

Waning Gibbous
80% illuminated
Dark from 22:40 to 01:50
Dark for 3h 9m

Sat 21st May

Waning Gibbous
70% illuminated
Dark from 22:43 to 02:01
Dark for 3h 17m

Sun 22nd May

Third Quarter
59% illuminated
Dark from 22:46 to 01:58
Dark for 3h 11m

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 OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. View these events on a calendar.

  • Green Space Dark Skies – Sperrin AONB

    Saturday 25th June 2022 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Cookstown, BT79 8JH

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

  • Sperrinview Glamping

    71 Blackrock Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 9PA (1.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Manor View Bed & Breakfast – Cookstown

    Cookstown, Kildress, County Tyrone, BT80 9RS (6.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info