Prime Meridian Collection

Greenwich Prime Meridian, London, England, UK, 2 / 3 / 10. Creator: Ethel Davies
Greenwich Prime Meridian, London, England, UK, 2/3/10. Sculpture indicating the Prime Meridian, astronomical latitude zero, source of Greenwich Meantime, Greenwich Observatory, Greenwich, London

George Biddell Airy (engraving)
815677 George Biddell Airy (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: George Biddell Airy (1801-1892). English Astronomer Royal and mathematician

Map of the World (on Mercators Projection), shewing the Hours of Universal Time at Mean Midnight of the Prime Meridian
3651364 Map of the World (on Mercators Projection), shewing the Hours of Universal Time at Mean Midnight of the Prime Meridian and Proposed Time Standards (colour litho) by English School

The Meridian of Greenwich, From Which All Measurements of Time Are Made, 1901. Creator: Unknown
The Meridian of Greenwich, From Which All Measurements Are Made In Astronomy, Navigation, And Geography, Passes Exactly Through The Middle Of The Transit Room Here Shown Open, 1901

High on a little hill in Greenwich Park -for even little hills are counted high
High on a little hill in Greenwich Park - for even little hills are counted high in London - stands the observatory from which most of the worlds nations normally calculate their meridians, c1935

Entrance to Greenwich Observatory, in 1840, (c1878). Creator: Unknown
Entrance to Greenwich Observatory, in 1840, (c1878). The Royal Observatory at Greenwich in south London is best known for the fact that the prime meridian passes through it

Venus, radar map
Venus. Synthetic aperture radar map of a hemisphere of Venus centred on the prime meridian (0 degrees longitude). The shading indicates the elevation of the surface relative to the mean planetary

George Biddell Airy, British astronomer
George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), British astronomer, 19th century engraving. During his career, Airy was elected president to the Royal Astronomical Society

Greenwich Meridian marker
Metal plate in the pavement on Western Road, Lewes, East Sussex, marking nought degree longitude - i.e. the Greenwich Meridian - which passes through this location

George Airy, British astronomer
George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), British astronomer. During his career, Airy was elected president to the Royal Astronomical Society

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Discover the significance of the Prime Meridian, the line of longitude passing through Greenwich, London, England, which marked the beginning of all time measurements. This meridian, represented in various maps and engravings since the 19th century, including George Biddell Airy's work, became the universal reference for calculating time. Airy, a renowned British astronomer, played a crucial role in establishing the Prime Meridian as the standard. In Greenwich Park, the entrance to the observatory stands proudly, where Airy once worked, and the Prime Meridian marker remains, marking the connection between the celestial and terrestrial worlds. From this little hill, time and longitude are measured, as seen in maps like Ethel Davies' color lithograph and the Meridian of Greenwich from 1901. Even in modern times, the Prime Meridian continues to be relevant, as evidenced by radar maps of planets like Venus, demonstrating the enduring impact of this historical milestone.