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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

  • 11/07/26

    32° 0%

  • 11/07/26

    32° 0%

  • 11/07/26

    29° 0%

  • 12/07/26

    23° 0%

Weather forecast for Winchester (1.9 miles away) updated 11/07/26 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 Sat 11th Jul

Sat 11th Jul

Waning Crescent
17 % illuminated
Dark from 22:07 to 01:03
Dark for 2h 55m
Moon phase on Sun 12th Jul

Sun 12th Jul

Waning Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 22:05 to 02:09
Dark for 4h 3m
Moon phase on Mon 13th Jul

Mon 13th Jul

New Moon
3 % illuminated
Dark from 22:03 to 02:19
Dark for 4h 15m
Moon phase on Tue 14th Jul

Tue 14th Jul

New Moon
0 % illuminated
Dark from 22:02 to 02:21
Dark for 4h 18m
Moon phase on Wed 15th Jul

Wed 15th Jul

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 22:00 to 02:23
Dark for 4h 22m
Moon phase on Thu 16th Jul

Thu 16th Jul

New Moon
4 % illuminated
Dark from 21:58 to 02:25
Dark for 4h 26m
Moon phase on Fri 17th Jul

Fri 17th Jul

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 21:56 to 02:27
Dark for 4h 30m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • Solar Eclipse: Live at the Winchester Science Centre

    Wednesday 12th August 2026 from 18:00pm to 20:30pm

    Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium, Winchester, SO21 1HZ

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

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  • Cosy Oak Yurt – Cranborne Chase

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  • Littleton Farm Campsite

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

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