Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app

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

  • 30/04/24

    17° 0%

  • 30/04/24

    14° 6%

  • 01/05/24

    13° 5%

  • 01/05/24

    12° 5%

Weather forecast for London (0.2 miles away) updated 30/04/24 at 12:00.

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 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
Moon phase on Thu 2nd May

Thu 2nd May

Third Quarter
44 % illuminated
Dark from 20:54 to 02:54
Dark for 5h 59m
Moon phase on Fri 3rd May

Fri 3rd May

Third Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 20:56 to 02:55
Dark for 5h 58m
Moon phase on Sat 4th May

Sat 4th May

Waning Crescent
23 % illuminated
Dark from 20:59 to 02:52
Dark for 5h 52m
Moon phase on Sun 5th May

Sun 5th May

Waning Crescent
14 % illuminated
Dark from 21:01 to 02:50
Dark for 5h 48m
Moon phase on Mon 6th May

Mon 6th May

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 21:03 to 02:47
Dark for 5h 43m

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

  • Walton Astronomy Group meeting and observing

    Thursday 2nd May 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    The Black Swan - Ockham, Cobham, KT11 1NG (19.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Maidenhead Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 3rd May 2024 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    St James-the-Less Church Hall, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (27.8 miles away)

    More info

  • Observing on Blackheath Common with Flamsteed Astronomy Society

    Saturday 4th May 2024 from 21:00pm to 23:30pm

    Blackheath Common, London, SE3 0TX (6.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Hertford Astronomy Group meeting

    Wednesday 8th May 2024 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm

    University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL10 9AA (17.5 miles away)

    More info

  • 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

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

No locations found