October 2011

The 2011 Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition runs throughout October at the Royal Observatory’s Astronomy Centre, displaying the breath-taking winning images from this year’s competition. This month sees the launch of a new planetarium show, The Secret Lives of Stars, which uses state-of-the art digital simulation to explore the fascinating life history of the stars, from the smallest red dwarf to the largest blue giant. A special Halloween Skies version of the popular Sky Tonight show also runs during October half-term. The Royal Observatory is also celebrating the London Science Festival which takes place in October, with two special after-hours adult events, plus a weekend of family workshops as part of the festival. Finally, Spacetalk, a new series of adult talks begins this month, presented by guest scientists actively involved in cutting-edge research.

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.

Exhibitons

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

Talks and lectures

Spacetalk: cutting-edge science made easy

Spacetalk is a new series of bi-monthly adult talks taking place just down the hill from the Observatory at the National Maritime Museum. Presented by guest scientists actively involved in carrying out cutting-edge research, these talks are aimed at non-specialists with no pre-existing scientific knowledge and are a fascinating insight into the latest scientific developments.

Date: 13 October
Times: 18.30–20.00
Venue: National Maritime Museum, Lecture Theatre
Admission: £5
Ages: Adults, Young People (13+)

Events

London Science Festival Event

As Part of London Science Festival the Observatory is staging an evening of astronomy past, present and future with a range of talks, planetarium shows and activities around the Royal Observatory’s historic buildings, with a few surprises throughout the night. See our website for further updates and information on exclusive activities.

Date: 22 October
Times: 18.30–23.30
Venue: Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Admission: £12, plus additional charges for exclusive activities
Ages: Adult event (18+)

Sci-Fi Fright Night

Celebrating the end of London Science Festival in the run up to Halloween, the Royal Observatory is screening a cult classic science fiction horror movie in the planetarium alongside a short talk about the science behind it. Film TBC – see website for updates.

Date: 26 October
Times: 18.30–20.30
Venue: Royal Observatory and Peter Harrison Planetarium
Admission: £7.50
Ages: Adult event (18+)

Family events

Science Festival Space Explorers

A special weekend of family friendly workshops supporting the London Science Festival. Come and find out about the planets of the solar system and make a planet finder dial which you can take away to help you find planets in the night sky for several years to come.

Date: 22–23 October
Times: 14.00,  14.30, 15.00, 15.30, 16.00, 16.30
Venue: Astronomy Centre, Activity Space
Admission: free
Age: 3+

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: 29 October
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.

The Secret Lives of Stars

This spectacular new show, narrated by Sir 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 October 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+

Halloween Skies

Discover what there is to see in the UK night sky in the run-up to Halloween and beyond in this themed show for October half term. Presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich Astronomer, Halloween Skies shows you where to look to spot the Moon, planets, stars and constellations.

Dates: 24–30 October 2011
Times: 12.45,  14.30,  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 October 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 October 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: 1–23, 31 October
Times: 14.30 (weekends and holiday weekdays)
             12.45,  13.45 (Mondays and Wednesdays 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 October 2011
Times: 12.45,  13.45 (Thursdays and Fridays during term-time)
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.

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.

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.

For advance bookings for charged events please call 020 8312 6608 or email bookings@rmg.co.uk

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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