Upper Dounreay
Stargazing in Upper Dounreay
Stargazing in Upper Dounreay
Current score
78
Good
Sky Darkness
Minimal artificial light at night
99Excellent
0100
Moon
Full Moon · 98% illuminated
2Severe
0100
Weather Window
Cloud cover 2%
98Excellent
0100
Best Viewing Window
Best between 20:00 and 21:00
92Excellent
00:0024:00
Need the full forecast?
See hourly weather, temperature, and conditions for Upper Dounreay.
Stargazing FAQ
What does the stargazing score mean for Upper Dounreay?
The score combines sky darkness, moonlight, cloud cover, and the current best viewing window into a single 0-100 rating. Higher is better for stargazing.
What is sky darkness?
Sky darkness measures how much artificial light brightens the night sky at this location. Higher scores mean darker skies.
How does the moon affect stargazing?
Bright moonlight washes out faint stars. A moon below the horizon or near new moon gives the darkest viewing conditions.
What is the best viewing window?
This is the period when cloud cover, moon altitude, and sky darkness combine for the highest stargazing score.