Why is Greenwich Home to the Royal Observatory?
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- Опубликовано: 13 июн 2024
- Greenwich in south-east London has long been famous for its connections with time and longitude... and at the centre of this important role is the beautiful Greenwich Royal Observatory.
In this video, the wonderful people from the Royal Museums Greenwich Collection were kind enough to invite me to the Observatory for an after-hours look around- which means in this video, we'll pretty much have this historic site all to ourselves!
As we go around, I'll be explaining why the Royal Observatory came to be based in Greenwich, and how it sealed its position as the planet's prime time keeper, along with showing you some of its most beautiful treasures... including the Sir Christopher Wren designed 'Octagon Room' and John Harrison's revolutionary Chronometers, which are amongst the most stunning time-keepers ever crafted...
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:58 Longing for Longitude
03:14 Establishing the Royal Observatory
04:54 Flamsteed House
06:01 The Octagon Room
08:07 Edmond Halley
09:44 The Camera Obscura
10:34 Harrison's Chronometers
14:53 Greenwich Mean Time
15:30 The Prime Meridian
16:09 The Greenwich Time Ball
17:17 The Shepherd Gate Clock
18:31 The BBC Pips Time Signal
19:10 The Great Equatorial Telescope
21:12 Outro
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I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Royal Museums Greenwich Collection for inviting me along for this opportunity, with special thanks in particular to Victoria Mottram who showed me around the Observatory.
If you would like to visit the Royal Observatory, you can find further information on their website:
www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
The Royal Observatory RUclips channel:
/ @royalobservatorygrnwich
Thank you so much to all of you who support my channel with your kind words, likes and shares.
If you're feeling extra generous, you can also support my work with a tip via either the RUclips 'thanks' button (which appears as a heart icon below the video), or alternatively, via my Ko-fi account:
ko-fi.com/robslondon
Any such financial donations are of course greatly appreciated, and they really do help when it comes to creating content.
I have an online store too- robsonlinedesigns- where you can purchase an array of London themed mugs, featuring hand illustrated designs of taxis, tube trains, buses and so on:
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Thanks again for watching, friends. Stay well, and please be sure to stay tuned!
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Credits:
Images:
Global Positioning Satellites, 1981: U.S National Archives (Public Domain)
Lattitude & Longitude Globes: Pearson Scott Foresman (Creative Commons)
Halley's Comet: NASA (Creative Commons)
The Longitude Act image: LiveRail (Creative Commons)
Time Ball Drop Footage: mckenndk RUclips Channel
AMAT Telescope images: © National Maritime Museum
* * *
Music:
Drunken Sailor (Cooper Cannell)
A Baroque Letter (Aaron Kenny)
Invitation to the Caste Ball (Doug Maxwell)
Juno in the Space Race (Loopop)
AnaCaptainslogue (Noir Et Blanc Vie)
Brandenburg Concerto No4-1 BWV1049 - Classical Whimsical by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Blue Danube (Strauss)
Confident Kurt (TrackTribe)
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The Royal Museums chose the right man for the job ! A comprehensive and informative video, well done Rob.
Thank you so much Rachel ☺️
@@Robslondon All this area will be Submerged by Christmas. ruclips.net/video/rQ_hR982l5A/видео.html Plenty more info on my channel.
Fantastic video! Whilst most people visit Greenwich during the day, it is only at night that one of its many secrets comes out to play … the green laser line that cuts the night sky to denote the meridian line. Eye catching stuff.
Thank you Ramo! The green laser, yes! They were setting it up for the evening when I arrived to film 😄
Brings back great memories of taking my girls there every summer, gonna take the grandson this year, thanks again Rob from your brilliant channel.
Beautiful comment Mark. Hope your grandson enjoys it when you go. Cheers mate and stay well.
What an honour to be allowed to have a private visit.
It was indeed... very overwhelming to be honest, didn't feel real!
@@Robslondon I've seen those balls in several ports which were British controlled. When they didn't have them, they would fire a cannon at exactly noon.
@@k9killer221 Interesting, thank you.
Hello Rob
Excellent video, we love going Greenwich and have visited the observatory. Our favorite time piece is the lesser watch from Del's garage. Three weeks tomorrow and we will arrive in London. Thanks Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
Ah yes! The watch that makes the Trotter's millionaires! Nice reference ;-) Thanks and stay well.
Absolutely brill it looks lovely there have fond memories of Greenwich observatory and the market. Bless you ❤️
Ah, thank you so much Tracy that means a lot to me :-) Stay well and thanks again.
ho! i began to watch this, then stopped - i think i should go back and watch all of your vids, right from day 1! haha i have a lot of catching up to do, but i don't want to miss anything! 😊
Oh! Bless you my friend; such a lovely comment! Really good to have you here- hope you enjoy my older videos ;-) Thanks and stay well.
fascinating video - best channel on you tube - brilliant
Your comment made my day wendalboy. Thank you so much mate, really appreciate it.
I read the book, 'Longitude', about Harrison and his chronometers, years ago, and it's a strangely thrilling read. I love his H4 - such an elegant little machine.
Also in Greenwich, do you know of the small atomic reactor, which used to reside in the Royal Naval College? It was there to instruct nuclear submarine engineers what to do in an emergency.
Brilliant comment Brian.
I didn't know about that book, will have to look it up.
The atomic reactor I have heard of, toyed with doing a video about it a while ago! Thanks mate and stay well.
I think I first heard about the mini atomic reactor in the Royal Naval College when a train carrying niclear material was lightly derailed somewhere between London Bridge and Greenwich overnight The local newspaper gleefully predicted that most of south east London could be wiped out in a nuclear Armageddon. As I was living in a partiularly grotty part of New Cross at the time - and was trying to move out - I considered incipient atomic annhilation as the least of my problems.
@@darriendastar3941 - The codename for the reactor, was 'JASON'.
I had a friend who lived in New Cross in the 1980's, and, having visited him, can see your point. Incidentally, he moved to North London, where, one day, he couldn't get to his home after work, as everything was cordoned off, and crawling with Police. The reason? He lived a few houses away from the serial killer, Dennis Nielsen. My pal said he knew him as a 'nodding acquaintance', and that he seemed to be a nice bloke. 😆😆😆
Read the book. The author is Dava Sobel. There was a drama on tv also. Sadly, John Harrison suffered greatly due to the fact he wasn't an 'educated man' of science.
As ever, superbly researched, filmed, scripted edited with the usual freindly and professional voice over. Super, Dooper Rob!
Rob
Thanks Rob! Much appreciated as always 😄
I quite like the H1 as so much of its workings is visiable. I took my friends twins there a couple of years back, one of them was bowled over by the Harrison Chronometers (Mainly because his name is Harrison) The panetarium is also well worth paying the top up for a talk.
Excellent video 👌
Thank you so much Paul
Another top quality video from Robslondon. I bet he knows the story of the Greenwich Time Lady who used to go and look at the big electric clock to set her chronometer, and then went round her clients charging them to set the correct time on their clocks and watches.
Thank you so much! I do indeed, she was an amazing lady; there are some items in the museum related to her
As always someone spotting a gap in the market and fulfilling it, how she managed to buy a chronometer in the first place is another matter entirely? Cheers DougT
Thanks Rob, that was very entertaining and interesting😊
A pleasure as always Ron, cheers 😉
I have said it before but I shall repeat that your videos are so well filmed and filled with good solid information and not full of geewiz sensational flummery, something the mainstream documentary makers could learn from. 👍
That really does mean a lot to me Chris, thank you so much my friend. Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon I think I have said it before but just in case I didn't, praise where praise is due!
@@chrisstephens6673 It keeps me going Chris! 😉
Another fascinating video! One of my most treasured memories is from the Royal Observatory, of taking my late father there when he visited me at university in London. He was in the Royal Navy before I was born, and he was in his element learning about it's contributions to maritime history. He wasn't fond of the climb up the hill, however.
Such a lovely comment; thank you so much for sharing your memories.
Love it, why was Greenwich chosen for the Royal Observatory? "Oh, it was cheap and it had a hill"
😄
A fascinating documentary about a wide range of scientists and their contribution to things we take for granted.
Thank you Raymonda
Nice work. I recommend any visitors to London to include Greenwich in their itinerary. Even if you aren't interested in the history of astronomy, it's a lovely area to be in.
Thanks, and well said 😉
@@Robslondon Thanks. Not sure if you've done it already but have you covered London football grounds? Craven Cottage is particularly interesting.
@@misterocain I have considered it yes.... will probably happen at some point!
@@Robslondon 👍
It's a Shame you never got to meet my late father. He was a guide at the Royal Observatory Greenwich until 2021.
Such a wonderful and very moving comment, thank you.
Although your father is sadly no longer with us, his work and inspiration surely lives on in the memories of those who were guided by him at the Observatory- just imagine the sheer number of people he would have introduced to this subject.
Bless you 4822ginger and stay well.
@@Robslondon that too is a beautiful comment back to 4822ginger, Cheers DougT
I live in Peacehaven, East Sussex, and the Meridian Line is here also. I have walked from here to Greenwich following the line.
That's quite a walk Kevin ;-)
Thank you for another Entertaining and informative episode today ! Cheers from California 😊
Thank you so much Olin ☺️
What a wonderful video 📹 !!! All I remember of there as a child was jumping back and forwards over the line. It is amazing the amount of work and knowledge that went into the whole building 👷♀️ and services. It is so beautiful around there with the views. I learnt so much history from this post. I don't know how these people came up with these amazing clocks and machines without the tools and technology that we have today, and how much they are still used. You didn't sound sick and I hope you are feeling better. Great post.
Beautiful comment Lesley, thank you so much! And thanks; I think managed to hide my illness well, ha ha! Cheers my friend and stay well.
Reminds me of myself the first time, age 5. Jumping back and forth over the Prime Meridian! Drove my Maritime interested Dad to distraction, lol.
Excellent my friend! 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😉👍👍
Much appreciated, thank you!
What an incredible overview of Greenwich! I plan to visit on my next London visit and this certainly makes it look like an worthwhile place! Thank you!
Thank you so much Martha! And yes, please do go there on your next visit, you will love it :-)
What a name and title.. The (fifth) Astronomer Royal, Neville Masculine.. that is a heck of a combination.
😄
Greenwich must have been delighted with the masterful video you have produced 👍 👍 Well done 👍 👍 Thank you ... perfection !
That's really kind of you to say Mr John, thank you my friend!
@@Robslondon Your work needs more recognition...it is excellent 👌
You really do your homework Rob, so much information to blow our minds, I've learned more about London from you than in my 20 years living there,
Gosh! Thank you so much! Really appreciate your kind words.
Fascinating as usual. Thanks, Rob!
Thank you so much!
Great content as always. I love it. Keep it up. Thanks Robert. 👍👍👍😍😍😍
Thank you as always Sharon; your support means a lot to me my friend. Stay well :-)
My all time 🕰️ favourite place in London.
Thanks, Rob. Another classic.
Thank you so much Chevi, much appreciated my friend.
Greenwich is one of my favorite spots to go to when I'm in London. If you are interested in the history of timekeeping, a wonderful book is called Longitude, by Dava Sobel.
Thanks Damascus!
I never appreciated Greenwich until now. Thank you for another entertaining and interesting video. ❤
Bless you Gill! Thank you so much.
You live a charmed life, Rob. Thank you for this very entertaining video about Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Thank you Jared ;-)
This was great!
I would love to visit London some day!
Thank you so much robbicu, hope you make it here soon!
One of the best things, provided you d a bit of research are tourist boats that ferry passengers from Tower Of London dock to Greenwich providing River lore along the Thames. Many of the Captains are like the good Black Cabbies who have "The Knowledge". I always recommend this to people visiting London. Great job as always Rob!
Thank you John; excellent point
westminster pier as well
possibly going tomorrow
me and my son often do the hour trip because its so nice
great place for a first date too btw
Another very interesting video, thank you Rob and thanks to The Royal Observatory for allowing this.
Thank you Michael 😊
We went to Greenwich on our 1st trip to London in 2015 and did not go into the observatory. Such a shame that i must rectify on our next trip!
I saw a movie on A&E called Longitude. I don't think it was a hit, but it was about Harrison and his invention of the chronometer. I loved it. Must now go and see them in action!
Thanks for the great video Rob!
Thank you so much Anita :-) Definitely go to the observatory if you have the chance! I have heard of the film you mention but haven't seen it yet, will have to look it up. Thanks again and stay well.
Looks like that would be a grand spot to have New Year's Eve celebration.
Oh for sure!
Great stuff! Very interesting video. I only visited the Royal Observatory once, on a school trip in the 1970s, and I was too young to appreciate the history back then. Next time I find myself in London, I'll be sure to go back.
Such a lovely comment, thank you- hope you make it back here soon!
John Harrison was a singleminded genius.
Agreed
A great video. I could watch H1's mesmeric action for hours.
Thanks so much Colin- and yes, I could too; it's hypnotic for sure!
Brilliant video as always Rob,i like Harrison’s son model 4 classic looking even today,and only lost 5.1 second’s on an over seas journey,my modern Omega can’t keep up to that.Anyway hope you are feeling better and see you next time 👍👌
Thanks so much Nicholas, I’m ok cheers 😉
Fascinating as ever.
Thank you so much Joncl!
Amazing work as per usual Rob. Another very informative video, on such a gem of a location. I remember going here with school when I was around 11, but I don't remember much about the visit.
Thank you so much Paul
I have visited the Observatory and knew the story. However, this is a well crafted video and very enjoyable to watch.
Really appreciate that RobboJax, thank you.
Great video Rob. I didn't realise the importance of Greenwich, London. Thank You
Thank you Cazzy Bee 😊
Fabulous, simply Fabulous.
Thank you so much Christian, that's very kind of you to say. Stay well.
It looks like a very beautiful and peaceful town. Thanks for sharing a nice video, my friend.
Bless you; thank you 😊
I was having lunch while watching and the anecdote at 17:13 caught me off guard, it almost made me spit my food because I burst out laughing lol great video btw!
Thanks! 😄
Love this video, fascinating place, fascinating history, fantastic video! I have not seen the time-ball in action, and my favourite of Mr. Harrisons 4 chronometers would be, H-1, it's important as it was the one that set the stage for the next 3 and all marine chronometers that followed, and the fact that they have all survived in good condition could be called somewhat of a minor miracle. Looking forward to your next video, whatever it may be on!
A wonderful comment, thank you so much for the lovely words :-)
@@Robslondon You are most welcome.
Rob you have added yet another fascinating place for me to visit next time I am in London. I'm going to need a long stay. Well done again!
Ha ha! Cheers Paul 😉
Seen the ball at 1pm back in the 80's
Loved this Rob. Packed a lot in there. Have to visit this place. Kudos for giving you access. A glorious piece of maritime history and such a wonderful site.
Nice comment Dave, thanks. Stay well.
GREATSTUFF Rob👍 as a LONDONER I'm very greatfull fella for your love of London 💪🇬🇧👍 fantastic Fact's 🎬🤔🇬🇧💯 I really enjoyed this one😍😁. As for a Londoners favourite Harrison 🤔👍💪🇬🇧💯 that got to be the one found by Dell boy🤩✌️🎬🇬🇧 thanks again great Fact's 🎬🗣️🇬🇧💯 London's LOVIN IT 😍🤩🇬🇧
Cheers Gary! I can't help but love London; the greatest city on the planet is my passion ;-) Stay well.
@@Robslondon and it shows too Rob, Cheers matey DougT
@@douglasthompson296 Cheers Doug
Thank you for another very interesting video. Deal on the Kent coast has a maritime time ball and there’s a big advent with people bringing champagne and snacks, fireworks on the beach, watching the time ball bring in the new year.
Thanks Jane; that’s interesting I wasn’t aware of that!
G'morning Rob, for once I'm lost for words, absolutely fascinating research and filming/editing. Lots of interesting info you put into it. The weather was on your side too!! I loved the snippet about the battered 1pm drop ball, the comforting BBC time beeps, it's all there in this vid. Tourism London should have you on board. Enough said, Cheers DougT
You’ve made my day with those kind words Doug, thank you so much my friend. Really appreciate your support.
Fascinating and informative, and brilliantly put together. Thanks Rob.
H1 for me, I could sit and watch it all day.
Thank you so much Reaper. I could watch it all day too, especially up close; so intricate. Cheers 😉
Thank you Rob for another well researched and interesting video. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
A pleasure as alway sir. Cheers and many thanks for your support ;-) Stay well.
In Liverpool, we had 'The One O'Clock Gun' until 1969. I remember hearing it when I was at my Nan's during school dinner break. I think they used the gun because Bidston Observatory was obscured by various hills and tall buildings.
Really interesting Jenny, thanks for sharing.
I love Liverpool and am planning on doing a video or two from there in the near future so please stay tuned ;-)
Cheers and stay well.
@@Robslondon I've lived here in 'That There London' for the past 30 years - lol
@@jennythescouser 😂
Brilliant Rob. Easily digested, fascinating information and history.
Thank you so much 😄
Great video. Although I lived in East London and would cross the Zero line several times a day even once in a boat. I have never been to see the observatory.
Thanks Steve, you should give it a go.
Great work Rob, H3 is a fascinating mechanism.
Thanks Matt, yes it's a thing of beauty isn't it.
I love your channel Rob. Thank you so much
Oh, it’s a pleasure, thank you so much for the kind words ☺️
A bit behind so just watched this - so fascinating and as always another great video!
Cheers Louise 😉
Another great video, thanks!
Thanks for watching 😉
Oh I loved this video! Greenwich is such a lovely part of London! Thanks, Rob, for all your hard work!
It’s an absolute pleasure Catherine! Thank you so much for the kind words.
An excellent tour! Thank you!
Thank you Alan!
Rob, another informative and entertaining masterclass 👍
It's a pleasure, sir- thank you so much for the kind words.
My favourite Harrison chronometer is the one auctioned off at Sotheby’s by Del and Rodney.
If the rhyming slang for telescope had come from the time, it would probably been _something_ rope. Bucket and rope - ‘bucket’?
Excellent comment! Love the Only Fools and Horses connection... and yes, good bit of rhyming slang ;-)
Thanks Rob. A fascinating insight into the history of the Royal Observatory. I’ve never visited it but will be sure to next time I’m in the UK.
Thanks Doug, hope you make it there soon
@@Robslondon Me too. That video was a LOT of work for you mate. But done with your usual great attention to detail. Great job
@@dougknight1720 Cheers ;-)
Thanks, Rob.
Thank you Jonathan ☺️
I live near there only down the hill. I’d love a documentary on the history of Blackheath. It’s full of caves and there are stories of the devil and onions weren’t allowed up there. Plus the Cornish Rebellion
Great comment, thank you! I do hope to cover the history of Blackheath at some point; it's a great area.
Thanks Rob, Interesting and Informative.
Thanks Stephen!
Great video Rob!
Thank you Mark!
John Harrison is a personal hero of mine,,,
I love to finish my time machine ( using Homer Simpsons toaster travel device!)
I would love to meet Harrison and give him some idea how many lives that he has saved,,, the enrichment of people's lives because he would make possible journeys and goods were viable for Londoners to eat bananas,,, avoiding the danger of passing the Horn, etc etc etc.
Just dreaming.
Lovely comment, thank you.
This video is extremely interesting. Very well done!
I highly recommend A&E’s Longitude. It tells the story about Harrison and his chronometers. It’s excellent!
Thank you!
@@Robslondon you’re welcome. 😀
Thanks!
Thank you so much Eric! Really appreciate your support. Stay well my friend.
Rob not sure if my comment got to you , greetings again again from Thailand excellent video as always. If I get a surge of energy I can walk to it from home.
Thanks Butch! Didn't get your last comment, no. Hope you're keeping well.
Once again, you follow up a brilliant video with another brilliant video. A massive well done, and thank you for this one Rob. So much information again. Foulby where Mr Harrison was born, is only about 15 miles from me. Loved all of his clocks, but the first one looked amazing. As for Cockney rhyming slang for telescope, how about Pope?
Lovely comment Barry, thank you- and yes, Pope could work! Stay well mate.
Great video thanks Rob ❤
It's a pleasure; thank you so much for watching :-)
FYI. There's a time ball in Edinburgh on Calton hill for exactly the same reason. Although, i don't know which goes first, the one 'o' clock gun or, the time ball!
Interesting, thank you!
Cockney Rhyming Slang for Telescope: Hella Dope
(Great Video, as always Rob!)
Ha ha! Good one! And thank you for the kind words 🙂
A famous actor was born near Grenwich. So how about Bob Hope
@@thewrecker3140 oh man that's really good too
@@CaRinn55 I am Robs dad.
Couldn't find a cockney rhyming slang for telescope. However, binoculars are known as bins if that helps.
Yes, good point Chris! 😉
H1 is a gem, H4 is genius👍
😄
Tricky longitude.Latitude is pretty easy by knowing the constellations, Sun and Moon although obviously you need clear skies!
😉
"Losing hope - Telescope"; "Ask the Pope - Telescope"; "Length o' rope - Telescope"; "Pass the soap - Telescope"; "Dahn the slope - Telescope"; you choose, Rob, you're the man from the Bow Bells not me.
Ha ha! Enjoyed reading these very much!
I'd say 'pass the soap' is the best....'come and have a butch at Mars through the old 'soap'!! :-D
Greenwich was chosen because it was directly on the Greenwich Meridian. Talk about a happy coincidence, huh?
;-)
It's a bit more complicated than just 15 degrees of longitude = 1 hour. That's true at the equator, but the further north or south the vessel goes, the less true it is. At the poles, it finally reaches 0 minutes per 15 degrees.
You’re right! I can only deal with the Ladybird book version though 😂
Mention of Greenwich Mean Time allows me to mention my annoyance of why The UK has British Summer Time. I know why it was brought in to help with the 2 world wars but, why do we still have “spring forward and fall back “ , no where else does this !
:-D
…..presumably because that is where it is….
No. There’s a specific reason.
Wasn't it a Harrison chronometer watch that made Del Boy and Rodney millionaires in Only fools and Horses ?
It was, yes!
@@Robslondon you're going to have to re-edit this and put that in the video for comedy effect 😆😆😆
Thanks!
Thank you so much Adrian! Much appreciated
@@Robslondon You're very welcome and it's we that have to thank you for all the videos. It's so nice to know those local stories and places that just someone like you can do it!
@@adrianocamargo3193 That means a lot me Adrian. Thank you.