Essential information
| Type | Experiences |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Opens 27 March 2026 | 10am-5pm |
| Prices | Experience + planetarium: £16 | Experience only: £8 |
| Discounts for Members. Not a Member? Join now |
Get ready for a brand-new, interactive space-themed adventure, coming to the National Maritime Museum in March 2026. Astronomers Take Over is a multi-zone, family-friendly experience, perfect for little ones and anyone with a love for all things space!
Meet real astronomers, try your hand at landing a Mars rover, use a starlight splitter and step inside an awe-inspiring ‘galaxy box’ to find out just how amazing our Universe is.
Plus, while the Peter Harrison Planetarium is closed for refurbishment, we’re pleased to bring you an alternative planetarium experience, with all the excitement of our world-class programming, but in a more intimate space.
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Inside Astronomers Take Over
Head into the following zones to meet the team, ask questions and try some space demonstrations.
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Astronomers’ lounge
Pull up a chair and have a chat with one of the Royal Observatory’s astronomy team about the latest space news, and find out what weird and wonderful things inspired them to get involved in astronomy.
Mars
Find out how Professor Sanjeev Gupta and his team work together on some of humankind’s most amazing space missions. Did you know the Mars rovers are operated from here on Earth, sometimes even from a kitchen in Lewisham? Try your hand at aiming a lander at a Martian crater.
Moon room
Meet one of our explainers and take on the role of Earth or the Moon to find out how these astronomical bodies dance through space together.
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Galaxy box
Join Sir Brian May and J-P Metsävainio, visual artist and astrophotographer, to find out how technology has changed how we see our Universe. Take an awe-inspiring stroll through our galaxy box; perfect for that Instagram moment!
Star huddle
Meet the Royal Observatory’s Head of Astronomy, Liz Avery and the team to find out what we really mean when we say we are all made of stardust. Try your hand at using a starlight splitter called a spectroscope to take a closer look at the stars.
Telescope
Explore 350 years of people, stories and discoveries connected to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Find out about the incredible people who have shaped the Observatory’s history with Dr Louise Devoy. Be inspired to consider who might become the next generation of astronomers. (Clue: it could be you!)
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Cosmic quest
What's the connection between a gorilla suit, Luke Skywalker's light sabre and an espresso machine? They’re all objects that astronauts have taken into space! Can you find them (plus other weird and wonderful items) in our unique cosmic scavenger hunt?
Planetarium experience
Add a planetarium experience to your Astronomers Take Over tickets and enjoy an awe-inspiring 30-minute show hosted by our expert explainers.
Read more about the different planetarium shows on offer below
Plan your visit
How to book
Click through to our booking site to choose between a combined Astronomers Take Over and planetarium show ticket or a Astronomers Take Over only ticket.
Visiting the National Maritime Museum
Astronomers Take Over is located downstairs inside the National Maritime Museum.
The Museum is a short walk from the centre of Greenwich, with regular DLR, rail, bus and river boat services available.
Learn more about space and astronomy
The Royal Observatory is the historic centre of UK astronomy.
The Observatory is just a short walk from Astronomers Take Over at the National Maritime Museum, so why not make the most of your day out in Greenwich and visit both places together? Find out more.
Frequently asked questions
Here's a link to the Astronomers Take Over FAQs page.
The Night Sky
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.
Solar System Sightseeing
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.
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. In this planetarium show, 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...
Recommended age: under 7s
More to see
Shop the space collection
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