Royal Observatory, Greenwich is an observatory situated on a hill in Greenwich Park, London in the United Kingdom. It is overlooking the River Thames. It played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation and is best known as the location of the prime meridian.
Visiting
Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich to stand on the historic Prime Meridian of the World, see the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and experience London’s only planetarium.
You can eat and drink at the Astronomy Café and Gagarin Terrace. Opening times: 10.00 to 16.30. You can shop at the Royal Observatory. Opening times: 10.00 to 16.30. The Royal Observatory shop by the entrance to the Meridian Courtyard.
How to get there?
If you are in London you can easily get there by the London Unground Tube. Alternatively if your a tourist in London you take a boat near Big Ben / Westminster Bridge and take a boat trip down the Thames River to Greenwich.
History
* 1675: The Royal Observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II, with the foundation stone being laid on 10 August. The site was chosen by Sir Christopher Wren.
* 1714: Longitude Act established the Board of Longitude and Longitude rewards. The Astronomer Royal was, until the Board was dissolved in 1828, always an ex officio Commissioner of Longitude.
* 1767: Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne began publication of the Nautical Almanac, based on observations made at the Observatory.
* 1818: Oversight of the Royal Observatory was transferred from the Board of Ordnance to the Board of Admiralty. At that time the observatory was charged with maintaining the Royal Navy’s Marine chronometers.
* 1833: Daily time signals began, marked by dropping a Time ball.
* 1899: The New Physical Observatory (now known as the South Building) was completed.
* 1924: Hourly time signals (Greenwich Time Signal) from the Royal Observatory were first broadcast on February 5th.
* 1948: Office of the Astronomer Royal was moved to Herstmonceux, East Sussex.
* 1957: Royal Observatory completed its move to Herstmonceux becoming the Royal Greenwich Observatory. The Greenwich site is renamed the Old Royal Observatory.
* 1990: Royal Greenwich Observatory moved to Cambridge.
* 1998: Royal Greenwich Observatory closed. Greenwich site is returned to its original name, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, is made part of the National Maritime Museum.
Royal Observatory Links
Royal Observatory | Visit Royal Museums Greenwich | UNESCO World:
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