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Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

Telegraph Way, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HZ

Best time to visit

Fantastic tourist location with numerous science exhibits, frequently scheduled events and a planetarium equipped with state of the art full dome projection system. Car park accessible to the public free of charge (most of the time) from which to explore the skies above.

Photo courtesy of Winchester Science Centre.

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium is a Dark Sky Discovery Site, an officially recognised place where anyone can stargaze. Most such locations have overnight parking (sometimes with a fee); however, many do not allow overnight camping. There may or may not be toilet facilities.

Location events organiser

Winchester Science Centre

Winchester Science Centre organises events at this location

Please contact Winchester Science Centre directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Winchester Science Centre
Twitter: @WinSciCentre

Weather forecast

  • 08/05/26

    17° 2%

  • 08/05/26

    17° 2%

  • 08/05/26

    16° 5%

  • 09/05/26

    9° 6%

Weather forecast for Winchester (1.9 miles away) updated 08/05/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium 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 Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

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 8th May

Fri 8th May

Third Quarter
68 % illuminated
Dark from 21:08 to 01:36
Dark for 4h 27m
Moon phase on Sat 9th May

Sat 9th May

Third Quarter
59 % illuminated
Dark from 21:10 to 01:52
Dark for 4h 41m
Moon phase on Sun 10th May

Sun 10th May

Third Quarter
49 % illuminated
Dark from 21:13 to 02:06
Dark for 4h 52m
Moon phase on Mon 11th May

Mon 11th May

Third Quarter
39 % illuminated
Dark from 21:15 to 02:19
Dark for 5h 3m
Moon phase on Tue 12th May

Tue 12th May

Waning Crescent
29 % illuminated
Dark from 21:17 to 02:31
Dark for 5h 13m
Moon phase on Wed 13th May

Wed 13th May

Waning Crescent
19 % illuminated
Dark from 21:19 to 02:40
Dark for 5h 20m
Moon phase on Thu 14th May

Thu 14th May

Waning Crescent
11 % illuminated
Dark from 21:22 to 02:38
Dark for 5h 15m

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

  • 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 (12.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Hampshire Astronomical Group meeting and talk

    Friday 8th May 2026 from 20:00pm to 21:30pm

    Clanfield Memorial Hall, Clanfield, PO8 0RB (13.7 miles away)

    More info

  • Farnham Astronomical Society meeting

    Tuesday 12th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Aldershot Cricket Club, Aldershot, GU12 4BP (25.5 miles away)

    More info

  • Inkpen Stargazers meeting and observing

    Wednesday 13th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Inkpen Memorial Ground and Pavilion, Hungerford, RG17 9QA (23.4 miles away)

    More info

  • Practical Astronomy with Basingstoke Astronomical Society

    Thursday 14th May 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Cliddesden Primary School, Basingstoke, RG25 2QU (13.9 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Wild Camping Wiltshire

    Dark Lane, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 3FZ, South West England (25.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info

  • Cosy Oak Yurt – Cranborne Chase

    Coombe Bissett, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 4LP (25.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Littleton Farm Campsite

    Upwaltham, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0LX (28.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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