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South Park - Oxford

South Park - Oxford

Morrell Avenuue, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1NG, South East England

Best time to visit

Science Oxford nominated South Park as the best place to stargaze near Oxford city centre. The best visibility is in the lower area, accessed via Morrell Avenue or Headington Hill gates. The public open space has 24-hour access and good visibility.

South Park - Oxford 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

  • 16/09/24

    17° 0%

  • 16/09/24

    13° 0%

  • 17/09/24

    11° 0%

  • 17/09/24

    9° 0%

Weather forecast for Oxford Botanic Garden (0.6 miles away) updated 16/09/24 at 12:00.

Local light pollution

South Park - Oxford 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 South Park - Oxford

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 Mon 16th Sep

Mon 16th Sep

Waxing Gibbous
93 % illuminated
Dark from 04:25 to 04:30
Dark for 0h 5m
Moon phase on Tue 17th Sep

Tue 17th Sep

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 18th Sep

Wed 18th Sep

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 19th Sep

Thu 19th Sep

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 20th Sep

Fri 20th Sep

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 21st Sep

Sat 21st Sep

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 19:18 to 04:38
Dark for 9h 19m
Moon phase on Sun 22nd Sep

Sun 22nd Sep

Waning Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 19:15 to 19:38
Dark for 0h 22m

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

  • Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group meeting and observing

    Monday 16th September 2024 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Long Compton Village Hall, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5JS (22.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Astronomy for beginners with Newbury Astronomical Society

    Wednesday 18th September 2024 from 19:00pm to 20:30pm

    Stockcross Village Hall, Newbury, RG20 8LN (24.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Wycombe Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Wednesday 18th September 2024 from 20:00pm to 21:00pm

    Coleshill Village Hall, Coleshill, HP7 0LN (26.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Swindon Stargazers Monthly Meeting

    Friday 20th September 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Liddington Village Hall, Swindon, SN4 0HB (25.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Milton Keynes Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 20th September 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Rectory Cottages - Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK63 6BJ (26.7 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • George’s Getaway

    Shenington Road, Banbury, Warwickshire, CV35 0TH (26.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info