First established by King Charles II and designed by Christopher Wren, The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park was the first state-founded, purpose-built scientific institution in Britain.
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park was the first state-founded, purpose-built scientific institution in Britain. (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
Today it remains to be one of south east London’s most popular attractions and houses the UK’s largest refracting telescope, measuring at 28 inches.
It also sits on the site of the Prime Meridian, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which you can visit and stand on.
It also sits on the site of the Prime Meridian, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
This year the Royal Observatory is celebrating a landmark year, as it turns 350 years old since it was first built in 1675.
In 2018 the Royal Observatory became a functional observatory following a £170,000 fundraising appeal and is now a place of learning and exploration, where visitors can learn about the history of astronomy and naval history.
The Royal Observatory is now a place of learning and exploration, where visitors can learn about the history of astronomy and naval history. (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
This year The Royal Observatory is gearing up to host a calendar of events to celebrate its long history, with the first of the events kicking off this March.
It will begin with an event on inspiring stories of women in astronomy, with a special talk on March 28 discussing some of astronomy’s most inspiring female figures throughout history, along with the stories of curators Alice Everett, Elsie Clack and Mary French.
A special talk on March 28 will discuss some of astronomy’s most inspiring female figures throughout history. (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
This will be followed by a special live streaming of a partial solar eclipse from the Royal Observatory on March 29, where people will be able to witness this rare event live as it happens.
Celebrations will continue over the spring into April, with a special planetarium show depicting the life of 19th century astrophotographer Annie Maunder, famous for her innovative images of the sun published in her book The Heavens and Their Story (1908).
In a special planetarium show will depict the life of 19th century astrophotographer Annie Maunder. (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
In August, a new planetarium show will run to showcase how the night sky would have looked when the first foundation stones were laid in Greenwich Park 350 years earlier.
Alongside these key events, the Royal Observatory will also host a line-up of live events, stargazing demonstrations and family activities to celebrate this landmark year for such a historic landmark.
Alongside these key events, the Royal Observatory will also host a line-up of live events, stargazing demonstrations and family activities. (Image: National Maritime Museum, London)
The Royal Observatory is open every day from 10am to 5pm, with admission costing £24 for an adult and £12 for a child.