Suitable for ages 7+

Essential Information

Type Planetarium shows
Location
Date and Times Weekends in March 2023
Prices Adult £10 | Child £5 | Student & Under 25: £6.50

Free for members. Not a member? Join now

This show is no longer running. Check out our current shows here.

Join our Royal Observatory astronomers as they take you on a Lunar Encounter. Learn about the changing appearance of the Moon in the sky, journey back in time to see the Moon’s formation, and set foot on the lunar surface alongside the Apollo astronauts.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted – Ted's Space Adventure is suitable for younger children.

Plan your visit

Can children attend?

Yes! This show is suitable for ages 7+. Children under 5 will not be admitted. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

How long do planetarium shows last?

Planetarium shows last up to 30 minutes.

When should I arrive?

The planetarium is part of the Royal Observatory, at the top of a hill with spectacular views across London. Please allow enough time to get to us and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show’s start time, as latecomers cannot be admitted.

Getting here

Can I bring a pushchair?

Pushchairs are not allowed into the planetarium itself but there is a designated buggy park in the foyer.

Can I visit the Observatory too?

You do not need a Royal Observatory ticket to visit the Planetarium. However, if you would also like to visit the historic observatory then you can book a separate ticket here.

Are companion/carer tickets available?

Companions to disabled visitors are entitled to free admission. These tickets can be selected online when booking any paid ticket. Please contact the Bookings Team on 0208 312 6608 or email bookings@rmg.co.uk if you have any queries.

I have another question.

Check our frequently asked questions here. If you're still not sure, call or email the Bookings team.

Call: +44 (0)20 8312 6608

Email: bookings@rmg.co.uk

Tickets and Opening

Adult: £10
Child: £5

Weekends in March

  • Greenwich Station
  • Cutty Sark DLR
  • Maze Hill Station
  • Greenwich Pier

What’s On

See more Royal Observatory events and planetarium shows.

Images of constellations, the Moon, Mars, a comet and the Andromeda galaxy
Planetarium shows

The Sky Tonight

A classic guide to the night sky presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily except Thursdays
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
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Illustration of Ted in a spacesuit in front of the Moon.
Planetarium shows

Ted's Space Adventure

Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere!
Weekends and school holidays
Adults £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
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A family enjoy looking through a telescope during a science demonstration at the Royal Observatory
Experiences

Observatory Unlocked

Drop by and chat with our Royal Observatory Explainers as they bring science and astronomy to life
Saturdays and Sundays
Included with Royal Observatory admission
Royal Observatory
A red, yellow, pink and blue gas clouds behind images of Saturn and the Earth. Over the top of this are white, glowing sound waves and music notes.
Planetarium shows

Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System

Experience the Solar System like never before - by travelling on a spacecraft that can turn the objects in space into sound!
Weekends and school holidays
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
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A fish-eye view of Earth taken from a satellite. Yellow and orange desert is visible along with deep blue ocean and wispy clouds
Exhibitions

Earth From Space

See the world through a satellite’s lens, and explore our changing planet at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Open daily | 10am-5pm
Free for Planetarium show ticketholders and Royal Observatory visitors
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Drone view of the historic Royal Observatory buildings during the day. Trees surround a central group of brick buildings, with the distinctive 'Onion Dome' of the Great Equatorial Telescope in the centre
Events and festivals

350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important scientific sites in the world
Throughout 2025
See page for details
Royal Observatory
Images of different coloured stars, a nebula, a supernova and a blackhole
Planetarium shows

Starstruck

Discover the birth, life and death of a star presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Weekends and school holidays in February
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
The new crescent Moon alongside an antique qibla compass.
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Astronomy and Islam

Join us for a special show featuring the New Crescent Moon and historic Islamic astronomy
Select Saturdays and Sundays | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child
Royal Observatory
A man leans in to a telescope eyepiece during an evening astronomy event
Courses | Astronomy courses

Amateur Astronomy For Beginners

A course for those looking to make astronomy into a hobby
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings starting 25 February 2025
£96 - sold out
Royal Observatory
A collage of different moons of the solar system; Triton, Enceladus, Phobos, Pandora, Ganymede, Iapetus and Mimas
Planetarium shows

Moons Beyond Counting

Learn more about our own Moon and some of the more exotic moons of the Solar System in this show narrated by our Royal Observatory astronomers
Weekends in March | 2.30pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student & Under 25: £8
Royal Observatory
A colourful scan of the Moon behind a gold spacecraft on the Moon's surface. Next to these are two images of Hindu deities wearing gold and riding creatures. Above them is the word "Chandrayaan" in Sanskrit
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show

Celebrate the festival of colours by learning about South Asian connections to the objects we see in our night skies
Saturday 8 March 2025 | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion Tickets
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An illustration of the sun's magnetic fields over an image captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory
Courses | Astronomy courses

Intermediate Astronomy

Acquire a rigorous scientific understanding of the Universe with the Royal Observatory Greenwich
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings starting 11 March 2025
£205 per module
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Photo of the Andromeda Galaxy - a dark black sky sprinkled with stars
Courses | Astronomy courses

Foundation Astrophysics

A series of ten-week courses on more advanced topics in astrophysics
10-week module held on Tuesday evenings starting 11 March 2025
£200 per module
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a historical photograph of stars the night sky in black and white
Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Pioneering Women in Observatories, 1880-1930

Discover more about the pioneering women who worked at observatories in the UK, US and Australia in the late 1800s, in this panel discussion and screening of the film Hidden Figures
Friday 28 March 2025 | 6.00-9:45pm
Adults: £10 | Students: £9
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Images of each planet in the solar system and the Sun
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Meet the Neighbours

Tour the Solar System and beyond in style with this live, immersive show packed full of spectacular sights and fun facts
Weekends in April
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
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A collection of multi coloured stars seen by the Hubble Space Telescope
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Morning Stars

Our more relaxed planetarium shows for those who prefer a calmer environment, such as people with ASD
7 and 11 April, 26 and 30 May, 2 and 16 August | 10.15-11.00am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion tickets
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Images of different coloured stars, a nebula, a supernova and a blackhole
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Starstruck: The Sun

Join us for a special solar twist on our popular show this Easter, presented live by an astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Holiday weekdays in April (except Thursdays) | 2.30pm
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
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A man looks through the Great Equatorial Telescope during a public astronomy evening at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
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Introduction to Astrophysics

Explore topics at the cutting edge of scientific research and the limits of human knowledge
Six-week course held on Tuesday evenings beginning 22 April
£96
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Choose your tickets

Please book your planetarium show tickets at least 24 hours in advance. Planetarium tickets do not include entry to the Royal Observatory.

Image of different things related to the Moon; a surface height map, the stages of a lunar eclipse, as Apollo astronaut, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.

Planetarium show

Lunar Encounter

  • Weekends in March
  • Suitable for ages 7+
  • Not available for under 5s
Adult £10.00
Child £5.00
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Planetarium shows

Planetarium tickets for members

  • Free tickets for members
  • Pick your preferred show
  • Membership card number required

Advance booking recommended

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A father and son look through a porthole on the main deck of historic ship Cutty Sark

Become a Member

  • Unlimited entry all year
  • Royal Observatory
  • Cutty Sark
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Special exhibitions
Direct Debit One-off
Individual: £50 Individual: £60
Family: from £60 Family: from £70
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