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Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory

Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory

Eton, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6EF

Best time to visit

Located on the outskirts of Eton College the Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory has a range of instruments including a historic 6inch Cooke Refractor and large 23″ aperture Newtonian reflecting telescope. Please note that visiting the facility is strictly by prior arrangement. Contact the Society or attend one of their regular meetings at the nearby Marten Building for more information.

Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory 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

Herschel Astronomical Society

Herschel Astronomical Society organises events at this location

Please contact Herschel Astronomical Society directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Herschel Astronomical Society

Weather forecast

  • 12/07/26

    29° 0%

  • 12/07/26

    29° 0%

  • 12/07/26

    27° 0%

  • 13/07/26

    22° 0%

Weather forecast for Staines (6.2 miles away) updated 12/07/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory 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 Herschel Astronomical Society Observatory

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 Sun 12th Jul

Sun 12th Jul

Waning Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 22:08 to 02:03
Dark for 3h 54m
Moon phase on Mon 13th Jul

Mon 13th Jul

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:06 to 02:12
Dark for 4h 5m
Moon phase on Tue 14th Jul

Tue 14th Jul

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:04 to 02:14
Dark for 4h 9m
Moon phase on Wed 15th Jul

Wed 15th Jul

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 22:02 to 02:16
Dark for 4h 13m
Moon phase on Thu 16th Jul

Thu 16th Jul

New Moon
4 % illuminated
Dark from 22:00 to 02:18
Dark for 4h 17m
Moon phase on Fri 17th Jul

Fri 17th Jul

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 21:58 to 02:20
Dark for 4h 21m
Moon phase on Sat 18th Jul

Sat 18th Jul

Waxing Crescent
17 % illuminated
Dark from 21:56 to 02:22
Dark for 4h 25m

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

  • Planetarium Go! at Zip World London

    Sunday 12th July 2026 from 10:00am to 18:00pm

    Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit, London, E20 2AD (26.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience at the Science Museum

    Sunday 12th July 2026 from 10:00am to 17:00pm

    Science Museum, London, SW7 2DD (18.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Planetarium Go! at Zip World London

    Monday 13th July 2026 from 10:00am to 18:00pm

    Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit, London, E20 2AD (26.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience at the Science Museum

    Monday 13th July 2026 from 10:00am to 17:00pm

    Science Museum, London, SW7 2DD (18.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Bayfordbury Observatory guided astronomy evening

    Monday 13th July 2026 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm

    Bayfordbury Observatory, Bayfordbury, SG13 8LD (29.1 miles away)

    More info

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