The Observatory of 0° Longitude
The famous Royal Observatory of Greenwich stands atop a hill in the heart of Greenwich Park. It was the observatory that gave Greenwich its unique geographic location called the 0º longitude, which many recognize as the Greenwich Line. This observatory is now used as a museum. It is at the top of the hill in Greenwich Park overlooking the Thames.
The observatory was established for Charles II in 1675. Originally it served as the study of the Royal Astronomer of the United Kingdom. The astronomer John Flamsteed was a director of the observatory and responsible for analyzing the exact location of the stars, correcting the charts of the sky movements and, in general, anything related to the knowledge of exploration and navigation.
This was building to be built and dedicated to scientific research, which explains its great importance to the culture of science. After World War II, due to heavy air pollution in London, the use of the building was discontinued. Today you will find attractions for the whole family: rooms with giant telescopes, an advanced astronomy center and an advanced planetarium.
Meridian Courtyard
In the courtyard of the museum you will find the Greenwich Line (longitude 0°), marked as a green laser beam coming out of the building in the north. Many visitors like to be photographed on both sides of the line (one leg on the west side of the earth and the other on the eastern side) and set their clocks according to Greenwich Mean Time.
Greenwich Mean Time was set according to the 0° longitude, which served as an international clock in the past.
Every day at 1:00 pm, the fall of the red "ball of time" can be seen from the top of the pole. The purpose of the time ball, which is on the observatory, is to mark the exact time for the Thames sailors.
