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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

  • 23/05/26

    26° 1%

  • 23/05/26

    26° 2%

  • 23/05/26

    24° 0%

  • 24/05/26

    21° 0%

Weather forecast for Portsmouth (0.9 miles away) updated 23/05/26 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 Sat 23rd May

Sat 23rd May

First Quarter
45 % illuminated
Dark from 01:19 to 02:21
Dark for 1h 2m
Moon phase on Sun 24th May

Sun 24th May

First Quarter
56 % illuminated
Dark from 01:32 to 02:19
Dark for 0h 47m
Moon phase on Mon 25th May

Mon 25th May

First Quarter
66 % illuminated
Dark from 01:43 to 02:18
Dark for 0h 35m
Moon phase on Tue 26th May

Tue 26th May

Waxing Gibbous
75 % illuminated
Dark from 01:55 to 02:16
Dark for 0h 21m
Moon phase on Wed 27th May

Wed 27th May

Waxing Gibbous
83 % illuminated
Dark from 02:09 to 02:14
Dark for 0h 5m
Moon phase on Thu 28th May

Thu 28th May

Waxing Gibbous
90 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 29th May

Fri 29th May

Waxing Gibbous
95 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS

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 28th May 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

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

    More info

  • Stargazing at the Island Planetarium

    Tuesday 2nd June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

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

    More info

  • Isle of Wight Observatory open night

    Thursday 4th June 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 5th June 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 5th June 2026 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

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