Essential Information

Type Events and festivals
Location
Online
Date and Times Available now
Prices Free
Watch on YouTube Watch on Facebook

To mark the anniversary of Apollo 17 and 50 years since humans last set foot on the Moon, the Royal Observatory Greenwich held a live observation of the lunar surface online.

Hosted by Public Astronomy Officer Dr Gregory Brown, we took a detailed look at the Moon through the Royal Observatory's Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope, and examined the giant leaps for mankind made by the Apollo programme.

You can watch back the broadcast here:

We also delve into the history of lunar observation, as well as the next phase of exploring our celestial neighbour: NASA's ambitious Artemis programme.

Never miss a shooting star

Sign up to our space newsletter for exclusive astronomy news, guides and events.

Sign up

See the world’s greatest space photography

Visit the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Book tickets
Artemis Programme: what you need to know about NASA’s Moon missions
NASA's Artemis missions aim to land the first woman and person of colour on the Moon, create a lunar base, and lay the groundwork for a future trip to Mars!
Space Live
Watch the biggest astronomical events live online with astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Moon landing conspiracy theories, debunked
The Moon landings were faked. Apollo 11 didn't happen. Humans never set foot on the Moon. Heard all this before?
Our Moon 2022: Astronomy Photographer of the Year
See the stunning winning and shortlisted images in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2022 Our Moon category
Why did we stop going to the Moon?
In July 1969 humans landed on the Moon for the first time, as part of the Apollo 11 mission. But why haven't we been back since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972?
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?

What’s On

More events at the Royal Observatory.

Planetarium shows

The Sky Tonight

A classic guide to the night sky presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily except Thursdays
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Ted's Space Adventure

Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere!
Weekends and school holidays
Adults £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Experiences

Observatory Unlocked

Drop by and chat with our Royal Observatory Explainers as they bring science and astronomy to life
Saturdays and Sundays
Included with Royal Observatory admission
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System

Experience the Solar System like never before - by travelling on a spacecraft that can turn the objects in space into sound!
Weekends and school holidays
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Exhibitions

Earth From Space

See the world through a satellite’s lens, and explore our changing planet at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Open daily | 10am-5pm
Free for Planetarium show ticketholders and Royal Observatory visitors
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Moons Beyond Counting

Learn more about our own Moon and some of the more exotic moons of the Solar System in this show narrated by our Royal Observatory astronomers
Weekends and school holidays in December | 2.30pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Chinese Astronomy

From stars to space exploration, explore ancient and modern Chinese astronomy in this live planetarium show
Saturday 14 December 2024 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Events and festivals

Winter Solstice Festival in Greenwich Park

Join the Royal Observatory and the Royal Parks for a day of activities celebrating the winter solstice, and discover the science behind the shortest day of the year
Saturday 21 December 2024 | 12-6pm
Free
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Meet the Neighbours

Tour the Solar System and beyond in style with this live, immersive show packed full of spectacular sights and fun facts
Weekends and school holidays in January
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astrophysics

Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£96
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Astronomy and Islam

Join us for a special show featuring the New Crescent Moon and historic Islamic astronomy
Select Saturdays and Sundays | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows

Starstruck

Discover the birth, life and death of a star presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Weekends and school holidays in February
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Bilingual Families

探索太陽系

Join us for a planetarium show in Cantonese, presented live by an astronomer in their native language
Sunday 2 February 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Family fun

Out Of This World: Moons

Explore the moons of our solar system in this family workshop
18 February 2025 | 10.30am - 12 noon
£5 per Child
Royal Observatory
Family fun

Holiday to Space

Travel across the Solar System and help Ted prepare for a holiday on another world during a planetarium show and interactive workshop for ages 3-6.
20 February 2025 | 10.30am - 12.00pm
£5 per child
Royal Observatory
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Star Makers: Visions of the Cosmos in Art

Join us as we explore representations of the Universe through art.
Friday 21 February 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm
Adults: £10 | Students & Under-25s: £9
Royal Observatory
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy For Beginners

A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£96
Royal Observatory
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show

Celebrate the festival of colours by learning about South Asian connections to the objects we see in our night skies
Saturday 8 March 2025 | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion Tickets
Royal Observatory
Courses | Astronomy courses

Foundation Astrophysics

A series of ten-week courses on more advanced topics in astrophysics
10-week modules held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£200 per module
Royal Observatory
Courses | Astronomy courses

Introduction to Astronomy

Learn the basics of astronomy at the home of time and space
Six-week courses held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£96
Royal Observatory

Main image: Moon: Big Mosaic by Andrea Vanoni, Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2022