Ticketed

Essential Information

Type Planetarium shows
Location
Royal Observatory
Date and Times Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 2024
Prices Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8

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On May 7 1925, the world’s first projection planetarium opened to the public at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. Now, nearly 100 years later, there are thousands of planetaria all around the globe, and the International Planetarium Society has selected May 7 to be the new International Day of Planetariums

To join in with this celebration, the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s planetarium will be hosting two full days of one-off special shows. Each one has been designed in-house by our astronomy team, based on each presenter’s interests and expertise.

See the schedule below and learn a bit more about the shows on offer.

Special shows schedule

From viewing the night sky with different perspectives to delving deeper into specific space topics, there’s something for everyone in this exciting programme. 

 

Sunday 5 May 

Monday 6 May 

11.30am 

Animals in Space! 

Animals in Space! 

12.30pm

Planet Factory

We’re All in the Dark 

1.30pm 

Uranus – a Planetary Catastrophe? 

The Sky Tonight: Down Under 

2.30pm

Ted’s Space Nightmare 

The Gravitational Universe 

3.30pm

Cosmic Meditation 

Are We Alone? 

4.30pm

African Astronomy 

Choose Your Own Show 

Sunday 5 May shows

An audience enjoys a Planetarium show at the Royal Observatory. They are lying back in big armchairs, staring up at a ceiling filled with blue light projections of distant galaxies

Animals in Space! 

11.30am

Join us on a ribbiting adventure to learn about the pawesome world of cosmic critters, from creature constellations to animal astronauts.

Recommended ages 3-6. This show will also be running at 11.30 on Monday 6 May.

Planet Factory 

12.30pm

Explore the past, present and future of our solar system as dust evolves into worlds. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

Uranus – a Planetary Catastrophe? 

1.30pm

Come with us as we try to unravel the secrets of this giant icy world. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.  

Ted’s Space Nightmare 

2.30pm

How many ways can you die in space? Find out with Ted! 

11+ only. Younger children will not be admitted.

Cosmic Meditation 

3.30pm

Take some time for yourself with this calm and relaxing planetarium show. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.  

African Astronomy 

4.30pm

Discover how people from regions around Africa have perceived the night sky throughout history. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

Monday 6 May shows

Animals in Space! 

11.30am

Join us on a ribbiting adventure to learn about the pawesome world of cosmic critters, from creature constellations to animal astronauts.

Recommended ages 3-6.

We’re All in the Dark 

12.30pm

Take a tour of the sky where even the guide doesn't know what's coming next! 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

The Sky Tonight: Down Under 

1.30pm

Fly over to Australia to learn about the southern sky and its stories. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

The Gravitational Universe 

2.30pm

Join us as we use Einstein's mysterious gravitational waves to search for elusive black holes and more.

Recommended ages 11+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

Are We Alone? 

3.30pm

From our own backyard to the outer reaches of the galaxy, explore what makes a world suitable for life.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

Choose Your Own Show 

4.30pm

Explore how the planetarium works by deciding what you see in your show. 

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted. 

How to book

Planetarium shows are available to book online and by phone. Our shows are very popular, so to prevent any disappointment, we recommend booking your tickets in advance. 

To book your tickets, please click here or contact the Bookings team on 0208 312 6608. The office is open Monday-Sunday, 9am-5pm.

Check out the full list of upcoming planetarium shows and events here. 

Plan your visit

Can children attend?

Yes!

Animals in Space! is suitable for ages 3-6

Ted’s Space Nightmare and The Gravitational Universe are suitable for ages 11+. Children under 5 will not be admitted. 

All other shows are suitable for ages 7+. Children under 5 will not be admitted. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

How long will the shows last?

Each show will be 20-35 minutes in length. 

When should I arrive?

The planetarium is part of the Royal Observatory, at the top of a hill with spectacular views across London. Please allow enough time to get to us and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show’s start time, as latecomers cannot be admitted. 

Getting here 

Can I bring a pushchair?

Pushchairs are not allowed into the planetarium itself but there is a designated buggy park in the foyer. 

Can I visit the Observatory too?

Planetarium show tickets do not include entry to the historic Royal Observatory, but you can book your visit separately here

What provisions are in place to support those with additional needs?

From choosing the best show and ticket type to being inside the planetarium, check out our full accessibility information here

I have another question.

Check our frequently asked questions here. If you're still not sure, call or email the Bookings team. 

Call: +44 (0)20 8312 6608 

Email: bookings@rmg.co.uk

Tickets and Opening

Adult £12.00
Child £6.00
Student & Under 25 £8.00

Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May 2024

  • Greenwich Station
  • Cutty Sark DLR
  • Maze Hill Station
  • Greenwich Pier

What’s On

See more planetarium shows at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

The Sky Tonight
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
Ted's Space Adventure
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
Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System
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
Moons Beyond Counting
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
Chinese Astronomy
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
Meet the Neighbours
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
探索太陽系
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
Morning Stars
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Morning Stars

Our more relaxed planetarium shows for those who prefer a calmer environment, such as people with ASD
2, 22 February 2025 | 10.15-11.00am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion tickets
Royal Observatory
South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show
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