Our Morning Stars planetarium shows are designed for anyone who would benefit from a calmer and more relaxed environment, in particular those with autism.
These shows are presented live by a Royal Observatory astronomer with several adaptations from our normal planetarium sessions, including:
- Room lighting is left at a higher level, bright enough that you can walk around safely, and leave and re-enter the show if you wish.
- Narration is much slower and calmer.
- The presenter will describe everything before it happens, giving plenty of time for you to prepare for any changes in light levels, imagery or sounds.
- A small number of ear defenders will be available to borrow for the duration of the show. You will be able to take a pair after you enter the planetarium.
- Fewer tickets are available so there is more space to spread out from other visitors.
- The show runs at the beginning of the day, so fewer visitors will be around the site in general.
To help you prepare for your Morning Stars show, we have a visual guide to visiting the planetarium available to download.
Free entry to the Historic Royal Observatory Site is included with this show. Please note that this site will also be open to general entry, so may be overwhelming for some.
There are different variations of this show, to suit those with different levels of astronomy knowledge:
| Variation | Dates in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Beginners | 10 August, 28 October |
| Advanced | 24 August, 2 November |
Beginners show
10.15-11.00am | Royal Observatory Greenwich
This version of the show is more suitable for younger children or anyone who has very little knowledge of astronomy.
It will feature:
- The night sky in general
- Constellations
- The Moon
- Mars
- Saturn
- Deep space images
Advanced show
10.15-11.00am | Royal Observatory Greenwich
This version of the show is more suitable for older children, adults or anyone who would benefit from a more in-depth look into the subject.
It will feature:
- The night sky in general
- Constellations
- Star formation
- How stars end
- The Moon
- The planets with a close look at at least one
- Galaxies (if time allows)
Under-5s will not be admitted - the beginners show is suitable for younger children.
How to book
Planetarium shows are available to book online and by phone. Our shows are very popular, so to prevent any disappointment, we recommend booking your tickets in advance.
To book your tickets, please click here or contact the Bookings team on 0208 312 6608. The office is open Monday-Sunday, 9am-5pm.
We have a very limited number of free tickets for each session available for Members of Royal Museums Greenwich. Please contact the Membership office to learn more.
Check out the full list of upcoming planetarium shows and events here.
Header image by ESA/Hubble & NASA
Plan your visit
How long will the show 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. For our Morning Stars shows, please allow enough time to get to us and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the show’s start time, as the show starts strictly on time, content may be missed, and tickets cannot be exchanged for another viewing.
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?
Free entry to the Historic Royal Observatory Site is included with this show.
What provisions are in place to support those with additional needs?
From choosing the best show and ticket type to being inside the planetarium, check out our full accessibility information here.
Are companion tickets available?
Companions to visitors with disabilities are entitled to free admission. Please select the ticket type when booking via the link at the top of the page or you can contact the Bookings Team on 020 8312 6608 or email Bookings@rmg.co.uk.
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
