Space science

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

Bringing the Universe closer – from Greenwich to you

Discover how your support has brought research and astrophotography back to the Royal Observatory and allows us to continue to share the wonders of space

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
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