Space & Astronomy Live Streams

Space Live broadcasts combine the best in telescope technology with expert commentary from Royal Observatory astronomers.

Join our online stargazing events and discover the wonders of the night sky, with live footage from the Observatory's state-of-the-art Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope.

Astronomers and space scientists are also on hand to explain exactly what's going on, and answer all your space and stargazing questions.

What’s On

See upcoming live streams.

The Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope at the Royal Observatory. The Observatory's domed roof is partially open, allowing a view of a clear blue sky

Greenwich's most advanced telescope

The small Altazimuth Pavilion at the Royal Observatory contains a big secret.

Housed within the original 19th century dome is the newest telescope to be installed at Greenwich: the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope, or 'AMAT' for short.

This 21st century instrument is called an ‘astrographic’ suite of telescopes because they are designed to be used photographically with digital cameras, rather than simply with the human eye.

AMAT can be used to capture detailed views of the planets and Moon, safely photograph the Sun and take filtered images of nebula and supernova remnants. It also allows us to share the wonders of the Universe online, helping us broadcast regular live observing events on YouTube and Facebook.

The Royal Observatory is part of Royal Museums Greenwich, a charity that relies on your support to maintain our telescopes and preserve our historic buildings. If you enjoy our live shows or want to support our astronomers’ important work, please donate today.

Watch previous live streams

Check out some of our previous broadcasts and astronomy events below. Find more videos on Facebook and YouTube.

The new crescent Moon in the evening sky, surrounded by pinkish clouds and a darkening sky

Photo by Büşra Taşkın from Pexels

Ramadan moonsighting 28 February 2025

The Royal Observatory Greenwich and the New Crescent Society teamed up once again for a special live stream searching for the new crescent Moon which would signal the start of Ramadan 2025 in the UK.

Director of the New Crescent Society Imad Ahmed and Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster hosted the broadcast.

With a telescope on top of the Royal Observatory's roof scanning the evening sky, Imad and Jake were also joined virtually by New Crescent Society members nationwide.

Watch on Youtube Find out more

A drone photograph of the Royal Observatory at night, the Moon is bright in the sky and lights in the observatory buildings below casts a yellow glow

Tour the night sky

Take a whistle-stop tour of the night sky with Royal Observatory astronomers in this live stream first broadcast for National Astronomy Week 2025.

We scanned the skies using the Royal Observatory's modern telescopes and shared real-time observations of what we found.

From Jupiter and Mars to galaxies, nebulae and the Moon, find out what makes these objects so special and learn how to look for them for yourself.

Watch on Youtube Find out more

Image of new crescent Moon against the sky with sunset and black clouds

Eid moonsighting April 2024

Watch back our live broadcast from Tuesday 9 April when we scanned the evening skies for the new crescent Moon which meant the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr in the UK.

Director of the New Crescent Society Imad Ahmed and Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster hosted the broadcast. They were joined virtually by New Crescent Society members from across the country, who dialled in to report their own sightings of the Moon.

Watch on Youtube Find out more

Image of London at dusk with a pink sky and a very thin crescent moon visible

Ramadan Moonsighting March 2023

Watch back our live broadcast from 22 March as we attempted to sight the new crescent Moon which signalled the start of Ramadan in the UK.

Director of the New Crescent Society Imad Ahmed and Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster hosted the broadcast, covering topics including the links between astronomy and Islam, the Islamic calendar, and how you can sight the new crescent Moon for yourself.

Watch on YouTube Find out more

A close up of half of the moon, the other half is in shadow

Moon viewing LIVE

It's been 50 years since humans last set foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo 17 mission. To mark the anniversary, join us online for a live observation of the lunar surface.

Hosted by Public Astronomy Officer Dr Gregory Brown, we'll look at the Apollo 17 landing site through the Royal Observatory's Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope, and examine the giant leaps for mankind made by the Apollo programme.

Watch on YouTube Find out more

Partial eclipse of the Sun as it reaches its maximum. Central yellow sun with top left section covered by shadow of the Moon

Solar eclipse October 2022

Featuring live telescope footage and expert astronomy commentary, this is one of the best ways to see the partial solar eclipse in the UK.

Watch the eclipse using the state-of-the-art Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope housed at the Royal Observatory, and learn about the science of the Sun with public astronomy officer Jake Foster.

Watch on YouTube Find out more about eclipses