The Athenaeum is a historical building situated in the heart of Bury St Edmunds close to the city centre. Located within the dome at the top of the building is the Athenaeum Observatory housing the Victorian Troughton & Simms 4-inch refracting telescope. Unfortunately the observatory is not currently open to the public as it is in need of restoration. We have featured the observatory on Go Stargazing to raise awareness of it and to assist Athenaeum Astronomy Association returning it to public use.
Photograph courtesy of Dr Richard Young, Chair of Athenaeum Astronomy Association
Location events organiser
Athenaeum Astronomy Association organises events at this location
Please contact Athenaeum Astronomy Association directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location
Email: [email protected]
Website: Athenaeum Astronomy Association
Twitter: @athenaeumAA
Facebook: Athenaeum Astronomy Association
Weather forecast
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04/10/24
12° 4% -
04/10/24
10° 3% -
05/10/24
8° 0% -
05/10/24
8° 0%
Weather forecast for Bury St. Edmunds (0.1 miles away) updated 04/10/24 at 04:01.
Local light pollution
Athenaeum Observatory is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to an urban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.
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Urban
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Suburban
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Semi-rural
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Rural
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Dark site
The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.
Best time to visit
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.
Fri 4th Oct
Sat 5th Oct
Sun 6th Oct
Mon 7th Oct
Tue 8th Oct
Wed 9th Oct
Thu 10th Oct
Find more dates
If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!
CalendarEvents nearby
Stay and gaze nearby
Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.