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Cranfield University - Bedford

Cranfield University - Bedford

College Road, Wharley End, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, East of England

Best time to visit

Public venue - public location used for stargazing events.

Weather forecast

  • 08/09/26

    17° 6%

  • 08/09/26

    18° 9%

  • 08/09/26

    15° 2%

  • 09/09/26

    14° 1%

Weather forecast for Milton Keynes (5.9 miles away) updated 08/09/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Cranfield University - Bedford is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a suburban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Cranfield University - Bedford

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 8th Sep

Tue 8th Sep

Waning Crescent
12 % illuminated
Dark from 19:51 to 02:59
Dark for 7h 7m
Moon phase on Wed 9th Sep

Wed 9th Sep

Waning Crescent
6 % illuminated
Dark from 19:48 to 04:13
Dark for 8h 24m
Moon phase on Thu 10th Sep

Thu 10th Sep

New Moon
2 % illuminated
Dark from 19:45 to 04:15
Dark for 8h 29m
Moon phase on Fri 11th Sep

Fri 11th Sep

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 19:43 to 04:16
Dark for 8h 32m
Moon phase on Sat 12th Sep

Sat 12th Sep

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 19:40 to 04:18
Dark for 8h 37m
Moon phase on Sun 13th Sep

Sun 13th Sep

Waxing Crescent
4 % illuminated
Dark from 19:38 to 04:20
Dark for 8h 41m
Moon phase on Mon 14th Sep

Mon 14th Sep

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 19:35 to 04:22
Dark for 8h 46m

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

  • Milton Keynes Astronomical Society – Astrodome informal meeting

    Friday 11th September 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Rectory Cottages - Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK63 6BJ (7.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Nene Valley Astronomical Society observing evening (weather permitting)

    Friday 11th September 2026 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm

    Chelveston Village Hall, Chelveston, NN9 6AT (16.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Northants Amateur Astronomers meeting

    Tuesday 15th September 2026 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm

    Wilbarston Village Hall, Wilbarston, LE16 8QD (29.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Wycombe Astronomical Society meeting

    Wednesday 16th September 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Coleshill Village Hall, Coleshill, HP7 0LN (29.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Nene Valley Astronomical Society observing evening (weather permitting)

    Friday 18th September 2026 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm

    Chelveston Village Hall, Chelveston, NN9 6AT (16.7 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

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