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Loxham Observatory

Loxham Observatory

Duncan Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0TH, East of England

Best time to visit

The Loxham Observatory is home to a large C11 computerised telescope and operated on behalf of Cranfield University by the Cranfield Astronomical Society who meet regularly during University term time (October to December and January through to March). Short notice ad-hoc observing sessions announced via their Twitter and Facebook social media accounts are also accessible to the public.

Location events organiser

Cranfield Astronomical Society

Cranfield Astronomical Society organises events at this location

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

Email: [email protected]
Website: Cranfield Astronomical Society
Twitter: @cranfieldastro
Facebook: Cranfield Astronomical Society

Weather forecast

  • 29/05/26

    21° 16%

  • 29/05/26

    22° 0%

  • 29/05/26

    21° 0%

  • 30/05/26

    18° 1%

Weather forecast for Milton Keynes (6.2 miles away) updated 29/05/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Loxham 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 Loxham 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 Fri 29th May

Fri 29th May

Waxing Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 30th May

Sat 30th May

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 31st May

Sun 31st May

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 1st Jun

Mon 1st Jun

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 2nd Jun

Tue 2nd Jun

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
Dark from 22:11 to 22:49
Dark for 0h 37m
Moon phase on Wed 3rd Jun

Wed 3rd Jun

Waning Gibbous
94 % illuminated
Dark from 22:13 to 23:20
Dark for 1h 6m
Moon phase on Thu 4th Jun

Thu 4th Jun

Waning Gibbous
88 % illuminated
Dark from 22:15 to 23:42
Dark for 1h 26m

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 Northampton Market Square

    Friday 29th May 2026 from 10:00am to 21:00pm

    Northampton Market Square, Northampton, NN1 2DL (16.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Planetarium Go! at Northampton Market Square

    Saturday 30th May 2026 from 10:00am to 21:00pm

    Northampton Market Square, Northampton, NN1 2DL (16.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Planetarium Go! at Northampton Market Square

    Sunday 31st May 2026 from 10:00am to 21:00pm

    Northampton Market Square, Northampton, NN1 2DL (16.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Aylesbury Astronomical Society meeting

    Monday 1st June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Aylesbury Scout Hut, Aylesbury, HP20 1LL (19.2 miles away)

    More info

  • St Neots Astronomy Association observing evening

    Monday 1st June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton, PE19 6ET (20.0 miles away)

    More info

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