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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

  • 25/04/24

    9° 53%

  • 25/04/24

    8° 45%

  • 26/04/24

    7° 8%

  • 26/04/24

    6° 7%

Weather forecast for London (0.2 miles away) updated 25/04/24 at 04:00.

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 25th Apr

Thu 25th Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
Dark from 20:38 to 21:33
Dark for 0h 54m
Moon phase on Fri 26th Apr

Fri 26th Apr

Waning Gibbous
96 % illuminated
Dark from 20:41 to 22:50
Dark for 2h 8m
Moon phase on Sat 27th Apr

Sat 27th Apr

Waning Gibbous
91 % illuminated
Dark from 20:43 to 00:02
Dark for 3h 18m
Moon phase on Sun 28th Apr

Sun 28th Apr

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 20:45 to 01:01
Dark for 4h 15m
Moon phase on Mon 29th Apr

Mon 29th Apr

Waning Gibbous
76 % illuminated
Dark from 20:47 to 01:45
Dark for 4h 57m
Moon phase on Tue 30th Apr

Tue 30th Apr

Third Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 20:50 to 02:15
Dark for 5h 24m
Moon phase on Wed 1st May

Wed 1st May

Third Quarter
55 % illuminated
Dark from 20:52 to 02:37
Dark for 5h 44m

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

  • Informal observing evening with Crayford Manor Astronomical Society

    Thursday 9th May 2024 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm

    The Parsonage Lane Pavilion and Observatory, Dartford, DA4 9HD (17.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Loughton Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Thursday 9th May 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

    Friday 10th May 2024 from 11:00am to 16:00pm

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

    More info

  • Community open evening at Bayfordbury Observatory

    Friday 10th May 2024 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm

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

    More info

  • Ewell Astronomical Society meeting

    Friday 10th May 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Nonsuch High School and Observatory, Cheam, SM3 8AB (11.4 miles away)

    More info

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