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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

Weather forecast

  • 06/06/24

    17° 9%

  • 06/06/24

    17° 1%

  • 07/06/24

    15° 0%

  • 07/06/24

    12° 0%

Weather forecast for London (0.2 miles away) updated 06/06/24 at 20:00.

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 Thu 6th Jun

Thu 6th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:10 to 01:47
Dark for 3h 36m
Moon phase on Fri 7th Jun

Fri 7th Jun

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:11 to 01:46
Dark for 3h 34m
Moon phase on Sat 8th Jun

Sat 8th Jun

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:53 to 01:45
Dark for 2h 52m
Moon phase on Sun 9th Jun

Sun 9th Jun

Waxing Crescent
7 % illuminated
Dark from 23:25 to 01:44
Dark for 2h 19m
Moon phase on Mon 10th Jun

Mon 10th Jun

Waxing Crescent
13 % illuminated
Dark from 23:47 to 01:43
Dark for 1h 56m
Moon phase on Tue 11th Jun

Tue 11th Jun

Waxing Crescent
21 % illuminated
Dark from 00:03 to 01:42
Dark for 1h 39m
Moon phase on Wed 12th Jun

Wed 12th Jun

Waxing Crescent
29 % illuminated
Dark from 00:15 to 01:42
Dark for 1h 27m

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

  • Loughton Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Thursday 18th July 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Theydon Bois Scout Hall, Epping, CM16 7EJ (14.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Public solar viewing with Flamsteed Astronomy Society

    Saturday 20th July 2024 from 11:00am to 16:00pm

    Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ (6.0 miles away)

    More info

  • North East London Astronomical Society meeting

    Sunday 21st July 2024 from 13:30pm to 16:30pm

    Wanstead House, Wanstead, E11 2NT (8.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Orpington Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Wednesday 24th July 2024 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm

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

    More info

  • Community open evening at Bayfordbury Observatory

    Thursday 25th July 2024 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm

    Bayfordbury Observatory, Bayfordbury, SG13 8LD (18.4 miles away)

    More info

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