Ticketed

Essential Information

Type Planetarium shows
Location
Date and Times Monday 5 and Wednesday 7 May 2025
Prices Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8

Free for Members. Not a member? Join now

Bookings opening soon

On May 7 1925, the world’s first projection planetarium opened to the public at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. Now, 100 years later, there are thousands of planetaria all around the globe, and the International Planetarium Society has selected May 7 to be the new International Day of Planetariums

To join in with this celebration, the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s planetarium will be hosting two full days of one-off special shows. Each one has been designed in-house by our astronomy team, based on each presenter’s interests and expertise.

See the schedule below and learn a bit more about the shows on offer.

Special shows schedule

From viewing the night sky with different perspectives to delving deeper into specific space topics, there’s something for everyone in this exciting programme.

 Monday 5 May 
11.30am Animals in Space! 
12.30pmThe End of the Solar System
1.30pm African Astronomy 
2.30pmTed’s Space Nightmare 
3.30pmThe James Webb Space Telescope
4.30pmStars of the Past
 Wednesday 7 May 
2.45pm Uranus: A Story of Planetary Catastrophe 

Monday 5 May shows

An audience enjoys a Planetarium show at the Royal Observatory. They are lying back in big armchairs, staring up at a ceiling filled with blue light projections of distant galaxies

Animals in Space! 

11.30am

Join us on a ribbiting adventure to learn about the pawesome world of cosmic critters, from creature constellations to animal astronauts.

Recommended ages 3-6.

The End of the Solar System 

12.30pm

Come with us on a journey through time to discover how our solar system was created and see how it will fare billions of years in the future.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.

African Astronomy 

1.30pm

Discover how people from regions around Africa have perceived the night sky throughout history.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.

Ted’s Space Nightmare 

2.30pm

How many ways can you die in space? Find out with Ted!

11+ only. Younger children will not be admitted.

The James Webb Space Telescope

3.30pm

See the universe through the eyes of the biggest and most powerful telescope ever sent to space.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.

Stars of the Past

4.30pm

Step into our time machine and find out how astronomy can help us unlock the mysteries of history.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.

Wednesday 7 May shows

Uranus: A Story of Planetary Catastrophe?

2.45pm

Come with us as we try to unravel the secrets of this giant icy world.

Recommended ages 7+. Under-5s will not be admitted.

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.

Check out the full list of upcoming planetarium shows and events here. 

Plan your visit

Can children attend?

Yes!

Animals in Space! is suitable for ages 3-6

Ted’s Space Nightmare is suitable for ages 11+ only.

All other shows are suitable for ages 7+. Children under 5 will not be admitted. 

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

How long will the shows last?

Each show will be 20-35 minutes in length.

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?

Planetarium show tickets do not include entry to the historic Royal Observatory, but you can book your visit separately here.

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.

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

What’s On

See more planetarium shows at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.

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
Royal Observatory
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
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8
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
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 £8
Royal Observatory
Images of each planet in the solar system and the Sun
Planetarium shows

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
Royal Observatory
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, 25 and 27 October | 10.15-11.00am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion tickets
Royal Observatory
Images of different coloured stars, a nebula, a supernova and a blackhole
Planetarium shows | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

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
Royal Observatory
Images of Chinese constellations, the Earth, Moon, Mars, Crab supernova and some spacecraft
Planetarium shows

Chinese Astronomy

From stars to space exploration, explore ancient and modern Chinese astronomy in this live planetarium show
12 April, 14 June, 9 August, 4 October 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
Images of constellations, the Moon, Mars, a comet and the Andromeda galaxy
Planetarium shows | Member events

Members' Exclusive: The Sky Tonight

Come along to a special screening of one of our most popular planetarium shows, just for Members!
Thursday 17 April 2025 l 10.30am-11.30am
Free | Members only
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
Image from below in the planetarium, showing adults and children reclined in seats looking up at domed image of sky with big image of the Moon
Planetarium shows

Planetarium Celebration Shows

Come and celebrate International Day of Planetariums with us in a series of one-off special shows, presented live by our Royal Observatory astronomers.
Monday 5 and Wednesday 7 May 2025
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8
Royal Observatory