Story topic
Orionid meteor shower 2026: when and where to see it in the UK
What is it, when is it and where can I see the Orionid meteor shower this year?
Research guide
Research guide A3: Tracing family history from maritime records
This guide is a brief introduction to maritime records that you can use to discover more about your ancestors, family history or famous people
Press release
Pirates exhibition press release
In March 2025 the major exhibition Pirates will open at the National Maritime Museum (NMM), tracing the changing depictions of pirates throughout the ages and revealing the brutal history often obscured by fiction.
Blog post
Jane Austen and the Royal Navy
In this blog we explore some of Austen’s literary nautical themes, but also consider her actual maritime connections.
Research guide
Research guide C9: The Merchant Navy: First World War
This guide outlines the main sources for researching the activities of merchant ships and their crews during the First World War
Research guide
Research guide D3: RMS Titanic: Images and artefacts at the National Maritime Museum
This guide lists photographs, paintings, other images, artefacts and models of RMS Titanic held in the National Maritime Museum collections
Story topic
Ursa Minor (Little Bear) and Polaris
Polaris is the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation, and for centuries was used by sailors for navigating at sea.
Event
James Webb Space Telescope: three years on
Join us for an online Members lecture to learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope three years after its launch with a Royal Observatory astronomer