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Portsmouth History Dockyard

Portsmouth History Dockyard

Victory Gate, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3LJ, South East

Best time to visit

Portsmouth History Dockyard is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Weather forecast

  • 30/04/26

    18° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    19° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    18° 0%

  • 01/05/26

    16° 0%

Weather forecast for Portsmouth (0.9 miles away) updated 29/04/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Portsmouth History Dockyard 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 Portsmouth History Dockyard

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 Thu 30th Apr

Thu 30th Apr

Full Moon
97 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 1st May

Fri 1st May

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 2nd May

Sat 2nd May

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
Dark from 20:53 to 21:00
Dark for 0h 7m
Moon phase on Sun 3rd May

Sun 3rd May

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
Dark from 20:55 to 22:10
Dark for 1h 14m
Moon phase on Mon 4th May

Mon 4th May

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
Dark from 20:57 to 23:12
Dark for 2h 14m
Moon phase on Tue 5th May

Tue 5th May

Waning Gibbous
90 % illuminated
Dark from 20:59 to 00:04
Dark for 3h 4m
Moon phase on Wed 6th May

Wed 6th May

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 21:01 to 00:43
Dark for 3h 41m

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

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 30th April 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

    The Isle of Wight Observatory, Newchurch, PO36 0LX (11.1 miles away)

    More info

  • South Downs Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 1st May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre, Chichester, PO19 8RP (14.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Worthing Astronomers Club Night

    Friday 1st May 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Clapham & Patching Village Hall, Worthing, BN13 3UT (28.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Explore Italy’s Scenic Riveria with Fred. Olsen and Go Stargazing

    Tuesday 5th May 2026 from 12:00pm to Friday 22nd May 2026 12:00pm

    Southampton Cruise Terminal, Southampton, SO14 3GG (14.2 miles away)

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 5th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Island Planetarium, Yarmouth, PO41 0RR (19.1 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Littleton Farm Campsite

    Upwaltham, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LX (21.8 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info