Astronomers Take Over: frequently asked questions

Yes, please speak to a member of staff and they will help you find the nearest admissions desk. 

Absolutely! This experience is aimed at our family audience but open to everyone. Children under 1 will be admitted to the experience for free.

To fully enjoy this brand-new, interactive space-themed adventure, we suggest allowing 60 to 90 minutes. With a planetarium show, the visit time will be approximately two hours.

Tickets to the Astronomers Take Over costs £8 for adults, children and students

Royal Museums Greenwich Members tickets cost £6.

Yes, Royal Museums Greenwich Members can enjoy a discount on entry to Astronomers Take Over: £6 for entry to Astronomers Take Over only.

Yes, as long as you return before the last admission to Astronomers Take Over. If you have booked a later planetarium show, please visit Astronomers Take Over before your planetarium show starts.

Yes, you can. Tickets for Astronomers Take Over only can be purchased separately.

Tickets for Astronomers Take Over only costs £8 for adults, children and students

Royal Museums Greenwich Members tickets for just Astronomers Take Over cost £6.

Visitors can join our astronomers as they take us on a journey through the Universe at the National Maritime Museum’s planetarium as part of the Astronomers Take Over.  

We have 360-degree projected shows presented live with a question-and-answer session at the end so you can ask us all your questions.

Royal Observatory Greenwich is undergoing an astronomical transformation – exciting stuff. While this is happening, the astronomers who work there have moved down the hill into the National Maritime Museum. 

The planetarium will be at the National Maritime Museum while the Peter Harrison Planetarium is closed for refurbishment. The refurbishment project is due to take until spring 2028.

The dome is approximately 8.5 metres (28 ft) in diameter. 

Yes, when you book a planetarium show, your ticket includes entry to Astronomers Take Over. Astronomers Take Over is split into zones, and the planetarium can be found inside the gallery space.

Please note the planetarium and Astronomers Take Over are both in the Special Exhibition Gallery at the National Maritime Museum.

Planetarium shows take place at weekends and every day in the school holidays; there are also shows on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons during term time. 

The planetarium has approximately 37 seats, which includes two wheelchair bays. 

The planetarium has airflow, though not a full air-conditioning system of its own. However, it sits within the fully air-conditioned exhibition gallery to control temperature and airflow. 

Adult, child and student tickets cost £16. This includes one planetarium show and entry to Astronomers Take Over.

Royal Museums Greenwich Member tickets cost £12. This includes one planetarium show and entry to Astronomers Take Over. 

You can focus on the planetarium if you like, but planetarium tickets include the Astronomers Take Over experience. The entrance and exit routes to the planetarium take you through the Astronomers Take Over experience, so why not stop for a look around?

Royal Museums Greenwich Members can book a £12 discounted ticket for a planetarium show and Astronomers Take Over.  

Unfortunately, there are no other discounts available for the planetarium. 

Unfortunately, no. Please follow any guidance given by staff about seating when you arrive at the planetarium.

Planetarium shows are released in three-month blocks and two months in advance. You can book planetarium shows between April and June 2026 now. 

Booking for shows between July and September 2026 will open in early May. 

Unfortunately, no. All planetarium tickets are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Please check your tickets carefully prior to checking out, as mistakes cannot be rectified. 

Planetarium shows have limited capacity, and we expect shows to sell out. We strongly recommend booking in advance as soon as dates are released to avoid any disappointment.

All planetarium tickets are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Ticket holders are informed at the time of booking that planetarium shows start on time. We advise ticket holders to arrive at the planetarium at least 15 minutes before shows commence. Our refund policy and our terms and conditions are stated on e-tickets.

You must arrive at the planetarium 15 minutes before your show commences. If you need to leave the planetarium after your show has begun, you will not be re-admitted.

• Animals in Space! – suitable for children under 7 
• The Night Sky – children 7+ 
• Solar System Sightseeing – children 7+

All children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. 

The planetarium show for under 7s will be Animals in Space! From their involvement in the space race to what we see in the stars themselves, animals have played a major role in space and our understanding of it. We’ll visit the International Space Station and the Moon, explore constellations and here and there you may just spot Royal Observatory Greenwich’s beloved mascot: Ted the bear...  

Children under 1 will be admitted to Animals in Space! For free. All children except babies must be allocated a seat and require a child’s ticket.

Adults without children will not be admitted to the Animals in Space! planetarium show. 

The Night Sky planetarium show is a classic guide to the night sky presented live by an astronomer. Explore the night sky as it appears on the day of your visit, learn about the locations of various astronomical objects and how to spot them and plan ahead for what else is coming up later in the season. Every day (or night!) is slightly different, so the content is constantly changing.  

No children under 7 will be admitted.

Tour the solar system and learn about the wide range of environments within it, the challenges of exploring this vast region and what lies beyond! Everything in the solar system is nearby in an astronomical sense but compared to life on Earth it is vast and varied. A journey around the celestial neighbourhood will reveal some of its workings and diverse environments including moons, asteroids, planets and more. There’s so much to see; the audience will be asked to help the astronomer choose what to concentrate on.

No children under 7 will be admitted. 

Children 7+ will be admitted to The Night Sky and Solar System Sightseeing planetarium shows.  

Animals in Space! is suitable for children under 7.  

All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Adults without kids cannot attend the Animals in Space! planetarium show. Adults can attend The Night Sky and Solar System Sightseeing planetarium shows without children. 

All planetarium shows are presented in person by an astronomer. Shows have some prepared structure to keep them on track, but different astronomers will flavour the adventure slightly differently. At the end of the show there will be a short Q&A session and, depending on the show, the astronomer may invite questions during as well (they may even ask some questions of their own)! 

Planetarium shows are around 25–30 minutes. Animals in Space! is approximately 20 minutes. There will also be a short Q&A session at the end of most shows. 

No. If you need to leave the planetarium after your show has begun you will not be re-admitted.

Yes, all children except babies must be allocated a seat and require a child’s ticket. Children under 1 will be admitted to Animals in Space for free.  

The under-7s show is called Animals in Space! This show is recommended for families with children aged 3–7. Older or younger siblings of any age will be admitted, provided parents understand that the show is not intended for them.

Please add a free companion ticket when you book. 

If you are unable to queue for prolonged amounts of time, please email bookings@rmg.co.uk before your visit. 

On the day, please make yourself known to staff on arrival and they will be able to assist you.

We have two wheelchair bays in the planetarium. Wheelchair users can book wheelchair bays online.  

The National Maritime Museum offers free entry for one person accompanying disabled visitors. Companion tickets can be selected with any paying ticket.  

If you are a wheelchair user and would like to let us know about your visit, or if you have any other queries regarding accessibility, please contact bookings@rmg.co.uk. 

Yes, we have several toilets facilities at the National Maritime Museum. Please use the toilet facilities before your planetarium show starts.

Yes, the nearest buggy park is situated outside the Voyagers gallery in the Sammy Ofer Wing. Items are left at visitors' own risk. No buggies are allowed inside the planetarium.

No. Please only bring essentials into the planetarium.  

We have lockers and cloakroom facilities at the National Maritime Museum. A small fee is charged for use. Storage facilities are used entirely at your own risk.

Yes! School visits will be bookable from February 2026 onwards.

Capacity is limited for planetarium shows. Please give the team plenty of notice about bringing a group to the planetarium to avoid disappointment. You can email the team at bookings@rmg.co.uk. Unfortunately, there is no group discount.