Greenwich in Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Airy’s meridian line

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 28, 2018

1. Airy’s meridian line Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

George Biddell Airy, seventh Astronomer Royal, commissioned the enormous telescope that still defines the Prime Meridian and is situated in the building ahead of you. Observations made here were used by cartographers, surveyors, navigators and astronomers. By 1884 most ships were using charts based on this meridian line. Since that year it has been the baseline for world time.

You are now standing on the Prime Meridian of the world, as defined by Airy's telescope and agreed by international convention in 1884.

Astronomers worked in pairs on the Airy Transit Circle: one looked through the eyepiece while the other observed the microscope readings on the stone pier.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.

Location. 51° 28.674′ N, 0° 0.089′ W. Marker is in Greenwich, England, in Greater London. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Blackheath Avenue and Great Cross Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenwich, England SE10 8XJ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 28, 2018

2. Airy’s meridian line Marker

The marker is to the right of the Prime Meridian, in the Western Hemisphere

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within walking distance of this marker. Time for everyone (here, next to this marker); The Greenwich Meridian Telescope (here, next to this marker); Bradley’s meridian line (here, next to this marker); The Shepherd 24-hour Gate Clock (a few steps from this marker); Ordnance Survey Bench Mark (a few steps from this marker); William Herschel’s Telescope (a few steps from this marker); Greenwich Meridian Marker, 1750-1851 (a few steps from this marker); Flamsteed’s Well Telescope (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenwich.

Also see . . .
1. Royal Observatory, Greenwich on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. George Biddell Airy on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.