December 2011

In the Peter Harrison Planetarium this December visitors can see a themed Christmas Stars version of the Sky Tonight show looking at what the night sky has to offer over the festive period and beyond, including the Moon, planets, stars and constellations, and also exploring the latest ideas about what the Christmas Star might have been.

The Spacetalk Christmas lecture takes place this month, as co-presenter of the BBC’s The Sky at Night Dr Chris Lintott discusses how the public can get involved in the hunt for new planets. The 2011 Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition continues throughout December at the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre, plus the popular Evening with the Stars events give visitors the chance to look through the Observatory’s huge 28-inch Victorian telescope.

Planetarium shows and many of the events and exhibitions listed here are situated in the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre. Entry to the Astronomy Centre is free of charge; admission charges apply to planetarium shows and to some ticketed events – see below for details.

Exhibitions

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2011

The annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition in the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre displays the winning images from this year’s competition. From distant galaxies to our very own Milky Way and neighbouring planets, this year’s entries reflect our enduring fascination with the night sky. Photographs on display include the winners from four main categories: Earth and Space, Our Solar System, Deep Space and Young Astronomy Photographer of the Year, as well as three special prize winners. Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2011 is organised by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich in association with Sky at Night Magazine. Entry to the Astronomy Centre and to the exhibition is free of charge.

Dates: throughout December 2011
Venue: Astronomy Centre, Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Opening times: 10.00–17.00
Admission: Free

Observing Events

Evening with the Stars

The popular after-dark experience at the Royal Observatory Greenwich with a seasonal flavour: watch the Christmas Stars planetarium show, look through the gigantic 28-inch telescope and spend some time on the Prime Meridian with a hot drink and an amazing view.

Dates: 7, 9, 21, 23 December
Duration: 2 hours
Venue: Royal Observatory
Admission: £16 , £54 family ticket
Age: 7+

Talks and Lectures

Spacetalk: Christmas Lecture

In the last 15 years astronomers have discovered over 500 planets orbiting distant stars and the hunt is now on for Earth-like worlds which could support life. In this Christmas edition of Spacetalk astronomer and co-presenter of the BBC’s The Sky at Night, Dr Chris Lintott, explains how the public can help with this exciting quest and discover planets without even leaving the house.

Dates: 15 December
Times: 18.30
Venue: National Maritime Museum lecture theatre
Admission: £5

Planetarium Shows

Peter Harrison Planetarium

The state-of-the-art Peter Harrison Planetarium is the centrepiece of the Royal Observatory's Astronomy Centre and is now the only public planetarium in London. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

A new ‘Astro Ticket’ combining access to the historic Royal Observatory buildings and Meridian Courtyard with a Planetarium show is now available. This offers savings for both individuals and families – contact the Bookings team or see the website for further information.

The Sky Tonight: Christmas Stars planetarium show

This seasonally themed show looks at what the night sky has to offer over the Christmas period and beyond, including the Moon, planets, stars and constellations, and also explores the latest ideas about what the Christmas Star might have been. This show is presented live by a Royal Observatory astronomer.

Dates: 1–23 December
Times: 12.45, 14.30, 16.15 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
15.45 (weekdays during term time)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: recommended for ages 5+

Secret Lives of Stars

This spectacular show, narrated by Patrick Stewart, explores the fascinating life history of the stars, from the smallest red dwarf to the largest blue giant. Using state-of-the art digital simulation, it charts the life of a star from birth through to death and beyond, and looks at what impact this has on the universe around us.

Dates: throughout December 2011
Times: 11.45, 13.30, 15.15 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
14.45 (weekdays during term time)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: recommended for ages 5+

Sky Tonight Live

Take a tour of what can be seen in tonight’s sky with a Royal Observatory astronomer. The journey takes in stars, constellations, planets and moons.

Dates: 27–31 December
Times: 12.45, 16.15 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: recommended for ages 5+

Space Safari

Join Ted, the teddy bear, for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the Great Bear in the sky in this show designed especially for younger children. Presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer.

Dates: 27–31 December
Time: 11.00 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
12.45, 13.45 (Tuesdays during term-time)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: suitable for ages 7 and under

Meet the Neighbours

The Earth travels around the Sun with seven other planets, hundreds of moons and millions of asteroids. Meet our neighbours in space in this entertaining interactive show, where you decide which planets to visit. Presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer.

Dates: See below
Times: 14.30 (27–31 December)
12.45, 13.45 (December, Mon, Wed – during term-time)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: recommended for ages 5+

Solar System, Galaxy, Universe

This show explores the scale of the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe and how we measure it, investigating the structure of the universe from the smallest planets to the largest galactic superclusters.

Dates: throughout December 2011
Times: 12.45 , 13.45 (Thurs, Fri – during term-time only)
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £6.50 adults , £4.50 children/concessions , £17.50 family ticket
Age: recommended for ages 5+

Exhibitions and Galleries

Time and Space at The Royal Observatory

Astronomy Galleries: Situated in the Astronomy Centre, these three visually striking galleries provide opportunities to explore astronomy and our place in the universe. With amazing hands-on exhibits helping to provide answers to big questions, the galleries discover how astronomers study space and explain recent developments in modern astronomy.

Admission: Free

Time Galleries: Explore the importance of time in all our lives through the interactive exhibits in galleries on ‘Time and Longitude’, ‘Time and Greenwich, and ‘Time and Society’.
Admission: £7 adults , Entry for children under 16 is free , Concessions £5.
Annual Pass: £10 adults , Concessions £7.50 (valid for 12 months)
Admission price includes entry to Flamsteed House, the Meridian Courtyard and the Meridian building in addition to the Time Galleries.

A new ‘Astro Ticket’ combining access to the historic Royal Observatory buildings and Meridian Courtyard with a Planetarium show is now available offering savings for both individuals and families. An adult Astro Ticket is priced at £11.50. Family Astro tickets are priced at £19.50 (one adult and three children) and £24.50 (two adults and two children). Contact the bookings team or see the website for further information.

General Information

Admission to the Astronomy Centre at the Royal Observatory Greenwich is free.

Admission to the Royal Observatory’s historic Flamsteed House, Time Galleries, Meridian Line Courtyard and Meridian Building is £7 for adults (£5 concessions). Entry for children under 16 is free. An annual pass is also available for adults priced at £10 (£7.50 concessions); this pass allows visitors to return as many times as they like within 12 months for no additional charge.

A new ‘Astro Ticket’ combining access to the historic Royal Observatory buildings and Meridian Courtyard with a Planetarium show is now available offering savings for both individuals and families. An adult Astro Ticket is priced at £11.50. Family Astro tickets are priced at £19.50 (one adult and three children) and £24.50 (two adults and two children). Contact the Bookings team or see the website for further information.

For advance bookings and further pricing information please call 020 8312 6608 or email bookings@rmg.co.uk.

The National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory open at 10.00 and close at 17.00 daily (last admission 16.30). All three sites are closed 24–26 December and close early on 31 December.

For updated information prior to visit please visit our web site: http://www.rmg.co.uk or phone (020) 8858 4422.

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For further information or images please contact:
Jenny Orton
National Maritime Museum Press Office
Tel: 020 8312 6545/6732 , 07960 509802
Email: press@rmg.co.uk