Exhibition Preview: Alien Revolution, Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, March 1 – August 2013

What with being able to accurately call itself London’s centre of space and time, you’d have thought Greenwich’s Royal Observatory would be a fitting – and atmospheric – place to consider the possibilities of extra-terrestrial life forms.

And so it proves: the host collections, ranging from the 16th century astronomical thoughts of Copernicus to insights into the solitary mission embarked upon to date by the Mars Curiosity rover, ponder the prospects in extensive, adventurous fashion.

HG Wells’ invading martians, ET, crop circle investigators and Betty and Barney Hill – an American couple who claim to be among the first to have been abducted by aliens, all the way back in 1961 – make for a compelling cast of characters, not to mention cult classic sci-fi screenings, themed planetarium shows and a special evening devised for Museums at Night.

Talks, live shows, a short course (Aliens in Science Fiction, naturally) and visits from astronomers are also planned. A central programme, Summer Science, will accelerate the combination of science and culture once the weather warms up.

• Open 10am-5pm. Follow the museum on Twitter @NMMGreenwich.

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