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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

  • 01/04/26

    14° 8%

  • 01/04/26

    13° 8%

  • 01/04/26

    13° 8%

  • 02/04/26

    11° 18%

Weather forecast for Staines (6.2 miles away) updated 31/03/26 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 Wed 1st Apr

Wed 1st Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 2nd Apr

Thu 2nd Apr

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 3rd Apr

Fri 3rd Apr

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
Dark from 19:53 to 20:48
Dark for 0h 54m
Moon phase on Sat 4th Apr

Sat 4th Apr

Full Moon
96 % illuminated
Dark from 19:55 to 22:03
Dark for 2h 7m
Moon phase on Sun 5th Apr

Sun 5th Apr

Waning Gibbous
92 % illuminated
Dark from 19:57 to 23:17
Dark for 3h 19m
Moon phase on Mon 6th Apr

Mon 6th Apr

Waning Gibbous
86 % illuminated
Dark from 19:59 to 00:25
Dark for 4h 25m
Moon phase on Tue 7th Apr

Tue 7th Apr

Waning Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 20:01 to 01:25
Dark for 5h 23m

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

  • Maidenhead Astronomical Society meeting & observing

    Friday 3rd April 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    St James-the-Less Church Hall, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (7.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Observing on Blackheath Common with Flamsteed Astronomy Society

    Saturday 4th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm

    Blackheath Common, London, SE3 0TX (26.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Observing on Blackheath Common with Flamsteed Astronomy Society (weather backup)

    Sunday 5th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 23:00pm

    Blackheath Common, London, SE3 0TX (26.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Aylesbury Astronomical Society meeting

    Monday 6th April 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Aylesbury Scout Hut, Aylesbury, HP20 1LL (23.5 miles away)

    More info

  • East Oxford Astronomy Club meeting and observing

    Tuesday 7th April 2026 from 19:00pm to 20:00pm

    Leys College and African School, Oxford, OX4 6HN (29.6 miles away)

    More info

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