James Irwin Observatory
Canterbury Adult Education Centre, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8JY
The James Irwin Observatory is located within the grounds of Canterbury Academy and Adult Education Centre. Prior to Covid, the venue hosted regular stargazing sessions organised in collaboration with the Mid-Kent Astronomical Society, however since Covid access to the facility is limited. Please contact the eduction centre to enquire about visiting.
Weather forecast
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11/07/26
22° 0% -
11/07/26
21° 0% -
11/07/26
20° 6% -
12/07/26
18° 7%
Weather forecast for Canterbury (0.8 miles away) updated 11/07/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.
Local light pollution
James Irwin Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to an urban 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 11th Jul
Sun 12th Jul
Mon 13th Jul
Tue 14th Jul
Wed 15th Jul
Thu 16th Jul
Fri 17th Jul
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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