Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app | Smart telescopes

University College London Observatory

University College London Observatory

553 Watford Way, Mill Hill Park, London, NW7 2QS

Best time to visit

The UCL Observatory is one of the best-equipped astronomical facilities for student training and research in the UK. It hosts regular free public open evenings, roughly fortnightly, on Fridays and some Saturdays during UCL’s autumn and winter terms (October–March inclusive).

University College London Observatory rooftop view

Location events organiser

University of Central London Observatory

University of Central London Observatory organises events at this location

Please contact University of Central London Observatory directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: University of Central London Observatory
Twitter: @ucl

Weather forecast

  • 10/07/26

    30° 1%

  • 10/07/26

    29° 3%

  • 10/07/26

    27° 1%

  • 11/07/26

    22° 0%

Weather forecast for Potters Bar (6.4 miles away) updated 10/07/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

University College London Observatory 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 University College London 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 10th Jul

Fri 10th Jul

Waning Crescent
26 % illuminated
Dark from 22:11 to 00:10
Dark for 1h 58m
Moon phase on Sat 11th Jul

Sat 11th Jul

Waning Crescent
17 % illuminated
Dark from 22:09 to 00:55
Dark for 2h 45m
Moon phase on Sun 12th Jul

Sun 12th Jul

Waning Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 22:07 to 02:00
Dark for 3h 52m
Moon phase on Mon 13th Jul

Mon 13th Jul

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:06 to 02:09
Dark for 4h 2m
Moon phase on Tue 14th Jul

Tue 14th Jul

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:04 to 02:11
Dark for 4h 6m
Moon phase on Wed 15th Jul

Wed 15th Jul

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 22:02 to 02:13
Dark for 4h 10m
Moon phase on Thu 16th Jul

Thu 16th Jul

New Moon
4 % illuminated
Dark from 22:00 to 02:15
Dark for 4h 14m

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 Zip World London

    Friday 10th July 2026 from 10:00am to 18:00pm

    Zip World London at ArcelorMittal Orbit, London, E20 2AD (11.1 miles away)

    More info

  • Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience at the Science Museum

    Friday 10th July 2026 from 10:00am to 17:00pm

    Science Museum, London, SW7 2DD (8.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Public solar viewing at the Royal Observatory Greenwich

    Friday 10th July 2026 from 11:00am to 16:00pm

    Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, SE10 8XJ (14.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Bayfordbury Observatory guided astronomy evening

    Friday 10th July 2026 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm

    Bayfordbury Observatory, Bayfordbury, SG13 8LD (12.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Astrokyds with Loughton Astronomical Society

    Friday 10th July 2026 from 18:30pm to 20:00pm

    St Mary's Church Hall - Theydon Bois, Theydon Bois, CM16 7ER (15.1 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

No locations found