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Westminster Reference Library

Westminster Reference Library

35 St Martin's Street, London, WC2h 7HP

Best time to visit

This central London library was the first library in the UK to lend telescopes and frequently hosts astronomy related events.

Westminster Reference Library is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Location events organiser

Westminster Reference Library organises events at this location

Please contact Westminster Reference Library directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Westminster Reference Library
Twitter: @WestRefLib
Facebook: Westminster Reference Library

Local light pollution

Westminster Reference Library 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 Westminster Reference Library

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 Fri 20th Jun

Fri 20th Jun

Third Quarter
37 % illuminated
Dark from 22:23 to 00:34
Dark for 2h 10m
Moon phase on Sat 21st Jun

Sat 21st Jun

Waning Crescent
26 % illuminated
Dark from 22:23 to 00:53
Dark for 2h 29m
Moon phase on Sun 22nd Jun

Sun 22nd Jun

Waning Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 22:24 to 01:19
Dark for 2h 54m
Moon phase on Mon 23rd Jun

Mon 23rd Jun

Waning Crescent
8 % illuminated
Dark from 22:24 to 01:42
Dark for 3h 17m
Moon phase on Tue 24th Jun

Tue 24th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:24 to 01:42
Dark for 3h 17m
Moon phase on Wed 25th Jun

Wed 25th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:23 to 01:43
Dark for 3h 19m
Moon phase on Thu 26th Jun

Thu 26th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:23 to 01:44
Dark for 3h 20m

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

  • Crawley Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 20th June 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    The Haven Centre - Crawley Down, Crawley, RH10 4LJ (26.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Solar SUNday 2025 with Baker Street Irregular Astronomers

    Sunday 22nd June 2025 from 11:00am to 15:00pm

    Hanover Green - Regent's Park, London, NW8 7RG (2.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Hampstead Garden Suburb Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 25th June 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Free Church Hall - Northway, Northway, NW11 7AG (5.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Orpington Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Wednesday 25th June 2025 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm

    St Francis of Assisi Church Hall, Petts Wood, BR6 1QW (12.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Luton Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Thursday 26th June 2025 from 19:15pm to 21:00pm

    Someries Junior School, Luton, LU2 9AH (28.8 miles away)

    More info

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