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The National Stone Centre

The National Stone Centre

Porter Lane, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS

Best time to visit

Venue for stargazing events organised by the White Peak Astronomical Observing group.

The National Stone Centre 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

White Peak Astronomical Observing Group

White Peak Astronomical Observing Group organises events at this location

Please contact White Peak Astronomical Observing Group directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: White Peak Astronomical Observing Group

Weather forecast

  • 03/10/25

    16° 94%

  • 03/10/25

    15° 92%

  • 04/10/25

    12° 10%

  • 04/10/25

    10° 38%

Weather forecast for Wirksworth (0.8 miles away) updated 03/10/25 at 16:02.

Local light pollution

The National Stone Centre is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of The National Stone Centre

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 3rd Oct

Fri 3rd Oct

Waxing Gibbous
79 % illuminated
Dark from 02:12 to 04:59
Dark for 2h 47m
Moon phase on Sat 4th Oct

Sat 4th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
87 % illuminated
Dark from 03:41 to 05:00
Dark for 1h 19m
Moon phase on Sun 5th Oct

Sun 5th Oct

Waxing Gibbous
94 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 6th Oct

Mon 6th Oct

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 7th Oct

Tue 7th Oct

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Wed 8th Oct

Wed 8th Oct

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Thu 9th Oct

Thu 9th Oct

Waning 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

  • Derby & District Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Friday 3rd October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:00pm

    Friends Meeting House - Derby, Derby, DE1 3GY (12.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Rosliston Astronomy Group Astrophotography Session

    Friday 3rd October 2025 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Rosliston Forestry Centre, Swadlincote, DE12 8JX (23.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Public viewing evening at the J.A. Jones Hoober Observatory

    Friday 3rd October 2025 from 19:45pm to 22:00pm

    J.A. Jones Hoober Observatory, Wentworth, S62 7SH (28.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Chesterfield Barnett Observatory open evening (visitors welcome)

    Friday 3rd October 2025 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm

    Chesterfield Barnett Observatory, Chesterfield, S41 8RH (12.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Dark Sky Hike from Castleton with Trekking Tom

    Monday 6th October 2025 from 18:00pm to 23:00pm

    Castleton Visitor Centre, Castleton, S33 8WN (19.2 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

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