The Hampstead Observatory is one of the few observatories in London open to the public for stargazing, and weather permitting, it is reopening this weekend.
Main Telescope – photo taken during daylight hours (c) ianVisits
The observatory’s main telescope sates from 1923 and ideal for viewing the Moon, planets and double stars. As long as the skies are clear, you might get to see Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud belts, the craters and mountains on the Moon and some of the brighter ‘deep sky’ objects – star clusters, nebulae and the odd galaxy.
Volunteers at the observatory will set up the telescope on the night for the best things to look for.
Though sessions are generally Friday and Saturday from 8pm to 10pm, please keep in mind this is dependent on the skies being clear. To help visitors with planning a trip, they post a note on their Facebook page a few days in advance when it appears likely that there will be a clear night.
On the morning that they can open that evening, they release free tickets on Eventbrite, usually around 10am, and you can book a ticket then.
They are also open for occasional solar viewings on Sunday mornings.
The entrance to the observatory is on Hampstead Grove, next to the Whitestone Pond, about a 10-minute walk from Hampstead tube station on the Northern line.
The observatory (c) ianVisits
More details about the Hampstead Scientific Society, which owns the observatory, are here.