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The Royal Institution

The Royal Institution

21 Albermarle Street, London, London, W1S 4BS

Best time to visit

Founded in 1799 by the then-leading British scientist Henry Cavendish, The Royal Institution helps to promote public interest in science and research.

Weather forecast

  • 30/04/26

    19° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    19° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    18° 0%

  • 01/05/26

    15° 0%

Weather forecast for London (0.8 miles away) updated 30/04/26 at 06:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

The Royal Institution 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.

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

Light pollution map of The Royal Institution

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 6m
Moon phase on Sun 3rd May

Sun 3rd May

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
Dark from 20:55 to 22:11
Dark for 1h 15m
Moon phase on Mon 4th May

Mon 4th May

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
Dark from 20:58 to 23:14
Dark for 2h 15m
Moon phase on Tue 5th May

Tue 5th May

Waning Gibbous
90 % illuminated
Dark from 21:00 to 00:05
Dark for 3h 4m
Moon phase on Wed 6th May

Wed 6th May

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 21:02 to 00:44
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

  • Luton Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Thursday 30th April 2026 from 19:15pm to 21:00pm

    Stopsley Baptist Church, Luton, LU2 7XP (29.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Informal observing evening with Crayford Manor Astronomical Society

    Thursday 30th April 2026 from 19:45pm to 21:30pm

    The Dick Chambers Observatory, Dartford, DA4 9HD (17.6 miles away)

    More info

  • Loughton Astronomical Society meeting and observing

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

    Theydon Bois Scout Hall, Epping, CM16 7EJ (15.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Maidenhead Astronomical Society meeting & observing

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

    St James-the-Less Church Hall, Maidenhead, SL6 6QW (27.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Our Moon – interactive talk and experiments for kids

    Saturday 2nd May 2026 from 18:30pm to 20:00pm

    Selsdon Community Clubhouse, South Croydon, CR2 8LA (12.1 miles away)

    More info

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