Explore space in Greenwich
The Royal Observatory is temporarily closed. While we refurbish the iconic site, you can still indulge your passion for space at the nearby National Maritime Museum
Astronomers Take Over
This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition
See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Unboxing the Universe
Step inside the room designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and the oldest part of the Royal Observatory
Winter Solstice Family Festival
Join Royal Museum Greenwich for a day of family activities celebrating folktales about the winter solstice - from storytelling and art installations to crafts, music and more
The place for space
Blast off to Royal Museums Greenwich this autumn for a full programme of space-themed fun, perfect for all ages
What's happening at the Royal Observatory?
Find out why we've temporarily closed the Royal Observatory. And read all about our exciting refurbishment project
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Stories
Read more about space, astronomy and the history of time
Night sky highlights - November 2026
This month Uranus reaches its closest point to Earth, Leonid meteors put on a sparkling show, Mars and Jupiter have a celestial rendezvous and the Moon is supersized.
A guide to the Milky Way: our home galaxy
Discover everything you need to know about the Milky Way galaxy, including what it looks like, what we see from our perspective and where Earth sits within its spiral arms
Photographing a deep-space shark from the Kuwait desert
Explore Ali Alobaidly’s incredibly detailed photo of the Shark Nebula, which was crowned the winner of ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2026
Astronomy with the naked eye
Learn what you could see in the night sky with no equipment from the Royal Observatory Greenwich; from galaxies and meteor showers to comets, star clusters, cloud formations and more
Space and astronomy highlights in 2026
What should you keep your eyes on the skies for in 2026? Discover this year's standout moments with Royal Observatory astronomers
Mirror Moon
Luke Jerram's Mirror Moon has landed at the Royal Observatory – see and feel the lunar surface like never before
A history of the Royal Observatory in six objects
Explore 350 years of the world-renowned institution and the people who worked there through six intriguing objects
Earth and space through an astronaut's lens
Discover how NASA astronaut Don Pettit takes out-of-this-world photographs from the unique and constantly moving vantage point of the International Space Station
Photographing the Universe from the Royal Observatory: past and present
Royal Observatory astronomers are photographing the skies from historic buildings, continuing a long history of astrophotography at Greenwich
History of the Royal Observatory
Find out more about the founding of the Royal Observatory, and how Greenwich came to be known as the 'Home of Time'
What is the Prime Meridian and why is it in Greenwich?
How Greenwich found its place in the centre of global time and navigation
The BBC pips: the Royal Observatory and the Greenwich Time Service
Discover the story behind the Greenwich time pips, first broadcast by the BBC over 100 years ago in 1924
Discover our shops
Learn about the rich history of the Royal Observatory. Keep track of time with our famous Shepherd Gate clock replica for your wall.
Shop
£150.00
Own a Shepherd Gate 45cm clock, exclusively available from the home of Greenwich Mean Time. A stylish 24-hour analogue clock that will make a statement on any wall, with its bold monochrome face, and matte black metal casing...
Shop
£190.00
A stunningly crafted, chrome-plated half double hunter pocket watch inspired by John Harrison’s world-changing chronometer...
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£35.00
Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects is a true celebration of the Observatory, its history, collections and the people who worked in it...