November 2011

The 2011 Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition runs throughout November at the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre, displaying the breath-taking winning images from this year’s competition. For those inspired by the exhibition, the Observatory’s Digital Astrophotography for Beginners course starts this month, offering an excellent introduction to the equipment, planning and processing required to take great shots of the sky. A Practical Astronomy for Beginners course also begins in November and aims to help people get started in astronomy with information on equipment, planning observing sessions and navigating the night sky. In the Peter Harrison Planetarium a themed Festival of Lights version of the popular Sky Tonight show marks Diwali, and the planetarium also hosts a special adult evening event of storytelling to celebrate the festival.

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

Events

Evening with the Stars

The popular after-dark experience at the Royal Observatory Greenwich: watch the Sky Tonight planetarium show, look through the gigantic 28-inch telescope and spend some time on the Prime Meridian with a hot drink, an amazing view and astronomers on hand to answer all your questions about the night sky.
Dates: 4, 5, 12, 23, 25 November
Times: 17.25, 17.30, 18.45, 18.50
Duration: 2 hours
Venue: Royal Observatory
Admission: £16 | £54 family ticket
Age: 7+

Diwali under the Stars

Ever heard the story of Rama and Sita under the magic of the night sky, gazing at stars, watching the heavens revolve? Join astronomers and storyteller, Seema Anand for this exclusive evening in London’s only public planetarium.
Dates: 17 November
Times: 18.30
Duration: 2 hours
Venue: Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £20
Age: Adults

Astronomy Courses

Practical Astronomy for Beginners

This short course is an excellent introduction for people who are interested in taking up astronomy as a hobby but don’t know where to start. It covers everything from selecting and using telescopes to planning your observing activity and finding your way around the night sky. The course also offers the opportunity to do some observing at the Royal Observatory.
Date: Tuesdays: 2 November–6 December
Time: 19.00–21.00
Venue: Learning Centre, Royal Observatory
Price: £70 (£56 concessions)

Digital Astrophotography for Beginners

For those feeling inspired by the Observatory’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, this course provides an excellent introduction to digital astrophotography. The course covers everything from the equipment required through to planning shoots and processing images. Participants will be given advice on how all kinds of cameras can be used in astrophotography and are encouraged to bring along their own cameras – even if it’s a compact camera.
Date: Tuesdays: 2 November–6 December
Time: 19.00–21.00
Venue: Learning Centre, Royal Observatory
Price: £70 (£56 concessions)

Family Events

Saturday Space Explorers

These drop-in family workshops offer something new to make and take away each month to help you learn more about astronomy, including star charts, planet finders and much more.
Date: 26 November
Times: 14.00, 14.30, 15.00, 15.30, 16.00, 16.30
Venue: Astronomy Centre, Activity Space
Admission: free
Age: 3+

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.

NB: the planetarium will be closed all day on 14 November due to maintenance

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 November 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: Festival of Lights

Celebrating Diwali – Festival of Lights, this seasonally themed show explores the Sun, Moon and stars and how they relate to Indian calendars. This show is presented live by a Royal Observatory astronomer.
Dates: 12–13 November
Times: 12.45, 16.15
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: throughout November 2011
Times: 12.45, 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+

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: throughout November 2011
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: throughout November
Times: 14.30 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
12.45, 13.45 (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 November 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 adult 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 adult 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.

National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Greenwich and Queen’s House are open: 10.00 -17.00 daily.

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