View of Royal Observatory Greenwich in London, circa 1960. The Royal Observatory Greenwich is an astronomical and historical site located in Greenwich, London, England. It is situated on a hill in Greenwich Park and is known for its rich history and contributions to the field of astronomy.
The observatory was commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II of England, with the goal of improving navigation at sea. The building’s primary function was to provide accurate timekeeping and astronomical observations to aid in determining longitude at sea. The first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, was appointed to oversee the observatory’s activities.
One of the most iconic features of the Royal Observatory Greenwich is the Prime Meridian Line, which passes through the site. This imaginary line divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres and serves as the basis for measuring longitude.
