The Royal Observatory in Greenwich marks its 350th anniversary with a series of engaging events throughout the year
Greenwich: The Royal Observatory is turning 350 this year, and it’s a big deal! Established way back in 1675 by King Charles II, it was the first scientific institution built by the state in Britain.
Today, it’s one of the coolest spots in southeast London, featuring the UK’s largest refracting telescope, which is 28 inches wide. Plus, it’s right on the Prime Meridian, where you can stand on GMT!
This year is special, and they’re planning a bunch of events to celebrate. Kicking off in March, the first event will focus on inspiring women in astronomy, with a talk on March 28 about some amazing female figures in the field.
Then, on March 29, they’ll live stream a partial solar eclipse, so you can watch this rare event unfold in real-time. How cool is that?
As spring rolls in, there’s a planetarium show about 19th-century astrophotographer Annie Maunder, who created stunning images of the sun. It’s all part of the celebration!
In August, they’ll even have a show that recreates what the night sky looked like when the observatory was first built. There will also be stargazing demos and family activities throughout the year.
The Royal Observatory is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with tickets priced at £24 for adults and £12 for kids. So, if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit!
