Astrophotography

The world's greatest space photography

Explore some of the stunning images shortlisted in ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025. Who will take home the grand prize?
Astronomy guides

How to see the perseid meteor shower

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August
History of astronomy

Zooming in on conservation

This beautiful 17th century telescope needs careful treatment before going on display. Object Conservator Rachel Roberts eyes up the issues

Never miss a shooting star

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Astronomy guides

Find out what you can see in the night sky with astronomers from Royal Observatory Greenwich

Night Sky Highlights - July 2025

Discover what to see in the night sky this July, including two magnificent nebulae in Cygnus, Mercury at its best, and more!

Full Moon calendar 2025

Check the dates for every full Moon throughout the year, learn about the Moon's phases, 'supermoons' and more

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

Noctilucent clouds: what are they and when can you see them?

Discover more about the astronomy phenomenon that makes clouds appear to glow at night 

How to see the green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Discover how to see this once-in-a-lifetime comet, which might be visible to the naked eye under dark skies.

Lunar eclipse guide: When and where to see in the UK

Find out what a lunar eclipse is and when the next total lunar eclipse in the UK will occur

How to sight the new crescent Moon

In the Islamic calendar, the new crescent Moon marks the start of the month

Orionid meteor shower 2025: 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?

Ursid meteor shower: When and where to see it in the UK

What is the Ursid meteor shower, when does it happen and how can I see it in 2025?
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Space science

Find space facts, learn about groundbreaking research and discover what the future holds for space exploration

The dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake and Eris

We’ve all heard of the planets, but what is a dwarf planet? And why isn’t Pluto a planet anymore?

How could humans live on Mars?

Astronomer and author Brendan Owens examines the challenges of sending humans to Mars - and what the future holds for our study of the Red Planet

How will the Universe end?

Life on Earth, our Sun and Solar System, the Milky Way – all good things must come to an end. But what about the fate of the Universe itself?

15 awe-inspiring astronomy discoveries

Discover 15 incredible astronomy facts that might just change how you see the Universe

What are the Pleiades?

Take a closer look at the Pleiades, an extremely hot cluster of young stars. Also known as the 'Seven Sisters' or M45, this stellar family has been the subject of numerous myths in cultures worldwide

The James Webb Space Telescope’s first year of images

Royal Observatory astronomer Julienne Hisole looks back on what we’ve learnt from the pioneering space telescope’s first 12 months of observing

The new space race: a high-stakes competition of politics and power

Competition between the USA, China and Russia will have consequences for all of us here on Earth. But how is this 21st century space race different to the last one?

The Tunguska Event

Learn more about the Tunguska event in 1908, a highly destructive asteroid explosion that occurred in a remote area of Siberia

Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Mission: All you need to know

How habitable are Jupiter's icy moons? Why is the Solar System's largest moon so unique? How did Jupiter, and other gas giant planets, form? Find out how the European Space Agency's groundbreaking JUICE mission will answer these questions and more.
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What’s On

Find space and astronomy events in Greenwich.

Exhibitions | Space and astronomy

Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition
See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily until 11 August 2025 | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Royal Observatory 350th birthday weekend
Follow in the footsteps of generations of astronomers, and join us to celebrate 350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich
Friday 8 - Sunday 10 August 2025
Adult: £24 | Child: £12 | Under 4s FREE | All activities included in entry price l Free for Members
Royal Observatory
Talks and tours | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

Evening of Astrophotography
Come along to a panel discussion to learn more about astrophotography, and enjoy a private viewing of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition
Friday 8 August 2025 | 6pm-8pm
Adults: £12 | Students and Under 25s: £8.50
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy
Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings | See page for details
£205 per module
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy
Learn the basics of astronomy with expert tutors from Royal Observatory Greenwich
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy Online
Learn the basics of astronomy at the home of time and space in this online course
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
Online
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astrophysics
Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
Courses | Astronomy courses

An Introduction to Life in the Universe
Are we alone in the Universe? Join this online adult course for an introduction to astrobiology and an exploration of how astronomers search for alien life
Six-week course held on Monday evenings | See page for details
£96
Online
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy For Beginners
A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings | See page for available dates
£96
National Maritime Museum
History of astronomy

The discoveries and instruments that changed our understanding of the universe

Zooming in on conservation: the treatment of a 17th century telescope

This beautiful 17th century telescope needs careful treatment before going on display. Object Conservator Rachel Roberts eyes up the issues

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'

Charles Todd and Australia's Overland Telegraph Line

In this blog we explore the remarkable life of Charles Todd, a Greenwich astronomer who championed Australia's Overland Telegraph Line

History of the Great Equatorial Telescope

The Great Equatorial Telescope at the Royal Observatory kept Britain at the forefront of astrophysics and greatly expanded our knowledge of stars

The Heavens and their Story

In this blog we look at a practical astronomical work written by the husband and wife team of Walter and Annie Maunder. The Maunders worked in the Solar Department of the Royal Observatory Greenwich in the early 1890s.

The Discovery of Uranus

Learn more about how William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781, the first new planet that had been discovered since antiquity

Weathervanes at the Royal Observatory Greenwich

Discover the history and stories behind the Royal Observatory's weathervanes

What was the Christmas Star?

From comets to supernova explosions, discover some of the theories about the Star of Bethlehem

Mathematics, navigation and empire: reassessing John Dee’s legacy

John Dee (1527-1609) was a philosopher and scholar whose work during the Tudor period has been overshadowed by his alleged sorcerous and occultist activities. He is best known for having conversations with angels through his scryer Edward Kelley's interests in astrology, alchemy, calendar reform and suggesting the date for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. What John Dee may not be as well known for is his influence on English navigation and being the first person to coin the term 'British Empire'.
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Astrophotography

Learn how to take incredible images of the night sky with expert advice from astronomers and award-winning photographers

Finding community through astrophotography

Sophie Paulin and Tom Williams struck up a friendship in an online astrophotography forum. Discover how they combined their expertise to win a prize in Astronomy Photographer of the Year

Anatomy of a habitable planet: Earth as you've never seen it before

Sergio Díaz Ruiz uses satellite imagery to explore climate change by creating an image of Earth as it might be analysed by a distant alien civilisation

A stellar duo: two young astrophotographers shooting for the stars

Meet the youngest entrants in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024: brothers Benjamin and Joshua Lawler

Beads of sunlight: photographing an annular solar eclipse

Ryan Imperio's spellbinding image of our Sun earned him the top prize in Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024

'Out with the camera, my senses are heightened' – behind the lens with Paul Haworth

Discover the vibrant nocturnal world of East Anglian astrophotographer Paul Haworth, shortlisted in 2024's Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition

Astronomy Photographer of the Year 15: In conversation with entrants and winners

Listen to interviews with shortlisted and winning entrants from the 2023 competition

Seeing the sound of a black hole: the story of Black Echo

How do you picture something that is invisible and inaudible to humans? Artist and photographer John White has the answer

Behind the lens with Monika Deviat

Dancer, educator, heavy metal fan and astrophotographer, discover more about the Aurorae winner of Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2023

Andromeda, Unexpected - how three amateur astronomers and astrophotographers changed our view of the Universe

Learn about the brand-new discovery that earned Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner and Yann Sainty the title of Astronomy Photographer of the Year – and a place in the science books 
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Watch

Can giant planets form around the smallest stars? In this special Think Space Lecture, Dr Edward Bryant from the University of Warwick talks about his research into exoplanets and the extremes of planet formation. Watch the full lecture series on YouTube.

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How do we see and hear the Universe? It's a simple question with a complicated answer. Watch how astrophotographer John White created this arresting photo of water droplets vibrating to the 'sound' of a black hole.

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People in astronomy

Meet amazing individuals involved in astronomy, from groundbreaking figures from history to people pushing the boundaries of science today

Who was John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal?

Meet the man tasked with mapping the night sky from Greenwich, and discover how a feud with Isaac Newton shaped the early history of the Royal Observatory

Accidental astronomy: an interview with Chris Lintott

Professor Chris Lintott, author, astrophysicist and presenter of the BBC's 'Sky at Night’ programme, discusses the incredible astronomical discoveries made by accident or through unplanned detours

Women at Royal Observatory Greenwich

Discover the women who worked in and around the Royal Observatory, facing barriers and prejudice due to their gender

Remembering Sir John F.W. Herschel (1792–1871)

Learn about the life of the pioneering mathematician, astronomer and polymath – and his links with the Royal Observatory

7 female scientists you might not have heard of

Einstein, Newton and Galileo are names we have heard numerous times. But who are the women who have changed the world of science, and why don’t we know their names too?

How many people have walked on the Moon?

The first crewed lunar landing in 1969 was a historic triumph for the USA and humankind. Including the Apollo 11 mission, 12 men have walked on the Moon. But who were they?

Michael Collins's space photo

Michael Collins is the third astronaut on the Apollo 11 mission. He remained in the Command Module as Edwin Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon surface in 1969

The library of George Airy

Within the Caird Library's collection of rare books is the personal library of the seventh Astronomer Royal, Sir George Biddell Airy. It features a plethora of scientific and astronomical research, as well as some of the Library's most historically significant works such as Copernicus's influential 'De revolutionibus orbium coelestium' and Flamsteed's controversial 'Historiae coelestis', which was published without his consent

Annie Maunder: solar astronomer and astrophotographer

Find out more about Annie Maunder, a pioneering astronomer, astrophotographer and science communicator
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Explore the universe in Greenwich

Visit the Royal Observatory, meet our astronomers at the Peter Harrison Planetarium, and take your knowledge to the next level with our range of books and courses

Royal Observatory
Visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the Prime Meridian of the world and London’s only Planetarium
What's on at the Peter Harrison Planetarium
Out-of-this-world planetarium shows and live astronomy experiences for the whole family - visit London's only Planetarium at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Astronomy courses at Royal Museums Greenwich
Discover our range of astronomy courses suitable for a range of individuals and experience
Shop
Stargazing: Beginners Guide To Astronomy
£9.99
By Radmila Topalovic and Tom Kerss, Astronomers at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Stargazing is a useful manual to help astronomy beginners navigate the world of telescopes, planets and celestial maps...
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Royal Observatory Greenwich Celestron Travel Scope 70 Telescope
£99.99
The Travel Scope 70 is a refractor telescope perfect for terrestrial and celestial viewing on the go. The Travel Scope can view the planets, moon, star clusters and brighter deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy at night and with the erect image star diagonal it makes the optical tube ideal for using as a spotting scope during the day...
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Royal Observatory Greenwich Illuminates: The Universe
£9.99
Given that it includes literally everything in existence, it’s not surprising that the Universe is the source of some of the greatest mysteries in physics...
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Help make science accessible to all

The Royal Observatory is part of Royal Museums Greenwich, a charity that relies on your support to maintain our telescopes, preserve our historic buildings and run our fantastic astronomy programmes. Donate today and support our astronomers' important work.
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