Alston Observatory is purpose-built teaching and public outreach facility run by the Jerimiah Horrocks Institute division of the University of Central Lancashire.
The location is home to the Moses Holden Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the UK, and the historic Wilfred Hall Telescope; the site also has a planetarium used for undergraduate teaching and encouraging public engagement in science.
Access to the facility is possible by booking one of their monthly open evenings, which take place from Autumn through to Spring.
Location events organiser
Alston Observatory organises events at this location
Please contact Alston Observatory directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location
Email: [email protected]
Website: Alston Observatory
Weather forecast
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25/04/26
19° 0% -
25/04/26
19° 0% -
25/04/26
17° 0% -
26/04/26
11° 2%
Weather forecast for Preston (5.1 miles away) updated 25/04/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.
Local light pollution
Alston Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a semi-rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.
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Urban
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Suburban
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Semi-rural
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Rural
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Dark site
The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.
Best time to visit
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.
Sat 25th Apr
Sun 26th Apr
Mon 27th Apr
Tue 28th Apr
Wed 29th Apr
Thu 30th Apr
Fri 1st May
Find more dates
If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!
CalendarEvents nearby
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