Suitable for ages 16+

Essential Information

Type Talks and tours
Location
Royal Observatory
Date and Times Friday 21 February 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm
Prices Adults: £10 | Students & Under-25s: £9

10% off for Members. Not a member? Join now

Since antiquity, people have drawn, painted, printed, etched and stitched the stars into the fabric of art history. Invariably punctual and precise in their rhythmic rising and falling, the stars sparked an unending curiosity in early humans about the patterns and principles of the physical world. Stellar configurations in the arts lay forth the ubiquitous habit of looking skyward from our earthly positions, inspiring boundless imagination and invention.

This event will explore the various ways artists have represented the universe and the techniques employed to capture the essence of the astronomical sublime. From the first naturalistic portrayal of the night sky in Western art to abstracted astral expressions and artistic retellings of celestial myths of origin, the event presents reflections of astronomical knowledge in visual culture.

Visual experiences of the cosmos concretised and embodied our stellar pursuits, having profoundly shaped human understanding of the universe and our place in it. Taking place in the Peter Harrison Planetarium, this event presents astronomical imagery in art history alongside the celestial objects from which the works were inspired.

About the speaker

Skye Weston is an independent researcher and art historian. She received her BA in the History of Art and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London, where she developed and refined her interest in global majority and diasporic visual cultures. Skye underwent her MA in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she specialised in ‘Black Futures: Reimagining Modernism after Critical Race’. In 2023, she was the sole recipient of the Paul Mellon Centre’s ‘New Narratives’ MA Studentship to pursue her research on the implications of colonialism in wartime medical iconography, echoes of the British Empire in representations of the NHS, and the visual role of hospitals in constructing a British national consciousness.

Skye is interested in the relationship between science and art, specifically artists’ impressions of scientific concepts within their works. Her current research on the influence of astronomy on arts, culture and society spawned from her avid interest in Afrofuturism and twentieth-century science fiction literature, notably their use of the sciences as metaphors for our shared or individual human experiences.

Plan your visit

Image

This event will be held inside the Peter Harrison Planetarium, part of Royal Observatory Greenwich. As the Observatory is located inside Greenwich Park, access is restricted after the Park has closed, which will be the case for this evening event.

On arrival, access is only possible via minibus picking up from St Mary's Gate (at the northwest end of the Park). Visitors should head to the gate where a minibus will be waiting to take them up to the Observatory. Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the event is due to start.

You will then be directed to enter via the Astronomy Centre gate (pictured).

At the end of the event, visitors must leave the Park via minibus, which will drop off back at St Mary's Gate.

Please be aware that this minibus is not wheelchair accessible. If you need to make alternative arrangements, please contact Bookings at bookings@rmg.co.uk or call 0208 312 6608.

Frequently asked questions

When should I arrive?

Please allow enough time to get to us and aim to arrive at St Mary's Gate (at the northwest end of the Park) at least 15 minutes before the event’s start time on your ticket, as latecomers cannot be admitted.

Can children attend?

This event is suitable for ages 16+.

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

From moving around our site to being inside the planetarium, check out our full accessibility information here.

Note that access to the Observatory for this event is via minibus. Please be aware that this minibus is not wheelchair accessible. If you need to make alternative arrangements, please contact Bookings at bookings@rmg.co.uk or call 0208 312 6608.

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

Header image Jean-Francois Millet, Starry Night, from Yale University

What’s On

More events at the Royal Observatory.

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
Observatory Unlocked
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
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
Earth From Space
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
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
Intermediate Astronomy
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week modules held on Tuesday evenings | See page for full dates
£205 per module
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
Winter Solstice Festival in Greenwich Park
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
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
Introduction to Astrophysics
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
Evening With The Stars
Experiences | Museum Lates

Evening With The Stars

Explore the wonders of the night sky and gain exclusive access to the Royal Observatory after dark
Limited January slots remaining | See page for details
Adults: £24 | Students & Under 25s: £21.60 | Children (7+): £12
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
Out Of This World: Moons
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
Holiday to Space
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
Star Makers: Visions of the Cosmos in Art
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
Amateur Astronomy For Beginners
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
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
Foundation Astrophysics
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
Introduction to Astronomy
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