The Royal Observatory, is an observatory situated on a hill in Greenwich Park, overlooking the River Thames. It played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation, and is best known for the fact that the prime meridian passes through it, and thereby gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time. The observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II, on a site chosen by Sir Christopher Wren. At that time the king also created the position of Astronomer Royal, appointing John Flamsteed as the first Astronomer Royal.

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Size: 3823px × 4323px
Location: Royal Observatory, Greenwich, LOndon, England
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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