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The Royal Observatory (Greenwich)

Description: The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, is one of the most important historic ... more

The Royal Observatory (Greenwich) ... scientific sites in the world. It was founded by Charles II in 1675 and is, by international decree, the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium (at the stroke of midnight GMT as measured from the Prime Meridian). The Observatory, part of the National Maritime Museum, is one of the most famous features of Maritime Greenwich – since 1997 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the Observatory can stand in both the eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously by placing their feet either side of the Prime Meridian - the centre of world time and space. The Observatory galleries unravel the extraordinary phenomena of time, space and astronomy, the Planetarium lets visitors explore the wonders of the heavens and Flamsteed House, Sir Christopher Wren’s original building, also has London's only public camera obscura.

Newest Review: ... tone. The same array of objects from astrolabes and globes to scientific instruments and prints are still on display but there is more audio-visual to accompany the gallery narratives. The galleries are quite dark because of the rare paper material on display. The centrepiece is the display of Harrison clocks with interactive touch tables between them where visitors can learn more about the ... more

... horology and Harrison himself. This is an imaginative use of manuscript material that would have been dull to look at in a showcase. This interactive is suitable for 5 years old upwards and is fun to use for all the family. The new astronomy galleries ...more

Read Reviews for The Royal Observatory (Greenwi...

The Royal Observatory (Greenwich): Royal Observatory- the new re-furbishment (477 words)
by - written on 19/05/09 (Very useful, 10 readings)
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The Royal Observatory Greenwich was re-furbished and extended throughout 2005-06 and re-opened to the public in May 2007. If you have not visited for a long time, do note that the experience will be quite different from what you remember. The front part of the site contains the apartments of the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed who worked in the late 17th century. The apartments are a creative reconstruction so note that the furniture and posession you see are not Flamsteed's. The new galleries relating to Time are much more interactive than the old galleries which were more contemplative and academic in tone. The same array of objects from astrolabes ... Read the complete review

I can see the stars (983 words)
by - written on 16/10/08 (Very useful, 213 readings)
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The Royal Observatory and the Planetarium A few weeks ago now I went to Greenwich for afternoon and wandered over to the Royal Observatory which I would recommend as it is well worth a visit. The Observatory is actually part of the National Maritime Museum which also encompasses the Maritime Galleries and the Queen's House. The Royal Observatory was commissioned in 1675 by Charles II and is situated on a hill in Greenwich Park overlooking the River Thames. It is a really beautiful building and even if you are not interested in the outside it is worth a look just at the architectural beauty on the outside. The original part of the Observatory was ... Read the complete review

The Royal Observatory (Greenwich): Measuring the History of Time (493 words)
by - written on 27/04/07 (Very useful, 118 readings)
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It was an 1884 conference in Washington that finally settled on Greenwich as the prime meridian. That is longitude 0. The point on earth from which time is measured. The story of Greenwich actually starts much earlier than that. It was in 1675 that Sir John Flamsteed was appointed the first Astronomer Royal, and it was also in that year that Christopher Wren began work on the Royal Observatory building at Greenwich, the first purpose built scientific research facility in the country. The primary purpose of the observatory was to improve the navigation of ships by helping them to determine their exact location while at sea. The Royal Observatory ... Read the complete review