The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, is one of the most important historic 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 is now part of the National Maritime Museum and 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.

What's On

Thursday 24th May 2012, 10:00am
Measuring the Universe: from the transit of Venus to the edge of the cosmos
In June 2012 stargazers will flock to prime locations around the world to see the Transit of Venus – the next…
Read More

Friday 25th May 2012, 10:00am
Measuring the Universe: from the transit of Venus to the edge of the cosmos
In June 2012 stargazers will flock to prime locations around the world to see the Transit of Venus – the next…
Read More