- temporary digital planetarium fills the gap
- new gallery gives details; broadcaster Peter Snow leads appeal
The planetarium at the world-renowned Royal Observatory, Greenwich, will close on 31 October 2004 to make way for a spectacular, new, state-of-the-art facility. Work begins in the New Year on a £15m re-development programme, known as Time and Space, which will create a modern education centre including a planetarium of three times the size and many times the capability of the existing one, which is now 40 years old.
The National Maritime Museum (which includes the Royal Observatory) has devised a scheme that will open up areas of the Observatory previously closed to visitors, revitalizing the site with new galleries, learning spaces and improved visitor facilities. These developments respond to increasing public demand. More than 750,000 people now visit the Observatory each year to stand on the line where east and west meet, to view the famous Harrison timekeepers and learn about the measurement of time and its relationship to astronomy.
The new planetarium will support the existing educational programmes at the Royal Observatory and in the National Maritime Museum. From 2007, visitors will be able to enjoy a 21st-century exploration of space, with the benefit of live interpretation and an expert commentary from the Observatory’s astronomers. The project has the backing of Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees, and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor John Brown.
While the Time and Space project is completed, the Royal Observatory will remain open to the public as usual, but its educational programmes will transfer to the National Maritime Museum itself, where a new 'Discovery Room’ has been created for schools’ visits.
The Museum will also be operating a temporary, digital planetarium, so that visitors of all ages can continue to learn about the wonders of time and space. The temporary planetarium will open on 6 December 2004 and will feature pre-recorded and live commentary as the Observatory’s experts help visitors understand the forces that shape our universe. The shows will reflect current astronomical events and audience interests and will be based around a variety of themed programmes:
New Horizon - an exploration of the planets and moons of the solar system
Stars of the Pharaohs - a journey to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to create calendars and construct buildings
Cosmic Safari - a search for life in outer space.
Enquiries from schools are especially welcome. For details telephone 020 8312 6786 or visit www.nmm.ac.uk.
Meanwhile, visitors can find out more about the re-development project by viewing a new display at the Royal Observatory. The Time and Space gallery includes latest images of the project, architect’s plans, artist’s impressions and a brand-new project film. It also includes historic black and white photographs, many of which have never been on public display, showing the development of the site over the past 100 years. Among these are shots of the construction of the South Building from the 1890s, the re-built 'onion’ dome being lowered into place on top of the Observatory in the 1970s and images of wartime bomb damage across the domes and buildings of the site.
The National Maritime Museum has already raised £11m towards the £15m Time and Space project, the balance of which it is seeking through its Universal Appeal, led by broadcaster Peter Snow. People wishing to make a donation or find out more about the Universal Appeal should visit www.nmm.ac.uk/universalappeal.
Speaking about the project, Universal Appeal Chairman, Peter Snow, said: 'We are inviting everyone to take part in one of the most adventurous undertakings in the 330-year history of the Royal Observatory. Our ambition is to create a spectacular new environment in which more and more people can appreciate the wonders of time and space.’
Roy Clare, Director of the National Maritime Museum, said: 'Visitors have already told us that they are excited by the major developments taking place at the Royal Observatory over the next couple of years. The previews on-site and on-line explain why the project is needed now and what the results will be like. We will be providing continuity through the temporary facilities in the Museum itself, but our visitors can help us to deliver the final improvements on time by lending their support to the project now! Entry to the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum remains free, but a donation of just £1 per visitor will close the gap in our funding for this unique and stimulating project.’
Visitor Information:
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Remains open to the public throughout the project: 10.00–17.00 daily, free of charge.
Current Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Closes: 31 October 2004
NB: daily shows will continue as normal until that date.
Temporary Planetarium at National Maritime Museum
Opens: 6 December 2004
Location: Ground floor, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Admission: £3 /£4 adults |£2 concessions/children
Time: 'Pre-recorded’ shows from 6 Dec at the following times: 13.30, 14.15, 15.00,15.45
'Live’ shows from 10 Jan 2005 at the following times: 14.30 & 15.30 weekdays, and 13.30, 14.30 & 15.30 at weekends.
New Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Opens: Early 2007
For updated information prior to visit see www.nmm.ac.uk or call 020 8858 4422.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
The Universal Appeal Board includes, among others, the Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees; Professor Colin Pillinger CBE FRS; broadcaster Libby Purves OBE; author Dava Sobel; and Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS.
Issued October 2004 by the National Maritime Museum Press Office. For more information please call 020 8312 6732/6790/6545 or e-mail gwilson@nmm.ac.uk.
London Planetarium

The London Planetarium, famous for its distinctive green dome and for being next to Madame Tussauds, will close this week to make way for a new celebrity-themed show opening in July. The Planetarium used to be an attraction in its own right, but in recent years has become simply a feature tacked onto the end of the waxworks tour, the original 45 minute show cut down to just over 10 minutes. The planetarium will be renamed 'The Auditorium' and will feature a show that "gets to the heart of celebrity", being produced in collaboration with animation house Aardman Productions.

Famous astronomer Sir Patrick Moore has called the decision "most regrettable", and many have commented that the change from space to celebrity is an unfortunate sign of our times.

To say 'farewell' to the planetarium, Tussauds have allowed free entry in its penultimate week, from 24th - 30th April. Visitors could enter through the group admissions entrance to see the show, running every twenty minutes. Unlike the queues for Madame Tussauds, which typically run right up the street, few people waited to see the planetarium show, even on the Saturday. The show, titled ''Journey to Infinity'', was projected onto the inside of the dome using Digistar 3 digital projectors. It told the story of space, starting from Earth and zooming out to reveal the other planets in the Solar System, the Milky Way, the other galaxies and the rest of the universe. It ended with an optimistic message suggesting that humans would continue to explore space, going further than ever before.

The London Planetarium opened in 1958 on the site of an old cinema that was destroyed in the second world war. Evening laser performances called 'Laserium' were held between 1977 and 1990. A £4.5 million redevelopment saw it relaunch in 1995 with a new 'Digistar II' monochromatic 3D projection system. This was upgraded to the full-colour 'Digistar 3' system in 2004 which is currently in use.

The planetarium at the also famous Royal Observatory in Greenwich has also been closed since September 2004, however this is due to re-open in 2007 having received a £15 million redevelopment programme. It will be three times the size of the old planetarium, and has received backing from Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees, and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor John Brown.