Google Pixel 4 @ Royal Observatory Greenwich

On 18 November 2019 Google took over Royal Observatory Greenwich for an evening of astrophotography. The new Google Pixel 4 boasts a ground-breaking Night Sight mode which can take unprecedented pictures of the stars for a mobile phone.

After a lights-out night in Star, and a blackout hour at the Shard, Google came to the home of British astronomy to round off their Night Sight Media campaign. Guests arrived at the Peter Harrison Planetarium Foyer under the Pixel 4 logo, passing by the Altazimuth Pavilion which houses the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope - kindly sponsored by Google for 2020.

The assorted crowd of media, influencers and lucky members of the public were treated to stellar canapes by Moving Venue before being ushered into London's only planetarium screen. Inside, British Astronaut Major Tim Peake, gave a presentation on his photography both from the earth looking up and from the ISS peering back down. After, Senior Public Astronomer Brendan Owens brought the crowd through the history of astrophotography and the ROG's association with the Carte du Ciel project- a Victorian Era initiative to map the night sky.

Emerging inspired, guests moved through Greenwich Royal Parks along a festooned walkway to the Meridian Courtyard to test the Google Pixel 4 for themselves. ROG astronomers Hannah Banyard and Ryan French directed the audience skywards with portable telescopes whilst Google reps talked through the process of getting the perfect astro image, all with a cheeky hot chocolate in hand courtesy of IdeasBox. After a scramble to find long-forgotten switches the historic ROG site temporarily plunged into darkness as Brendan and Tim pointed out the highlights of the night sky - Cassiopeia, Perseus and the all-elusive Andromeda Galaxy which can be faintly seen in some images from the night.

With the cold creeping in the assembled tech fans returned the Planetarium for starry desserts before being bussed down through the pitch-black park and back to the eternal brightness of London City.

First and foremost a huge thank you to Google for their support of Royal Museums Greenwich, and the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope in particular. And another to Yazmin Malcolm and the team at Ogilvy for the whirlwind ride it took to put this special event together. Internally big shout out to partners in crime Alex Lawson, Brendan Owens and Sheryl Twigg.

Inspired catering devised and provided by Moving Venue Caterers and out of world production by Colin Head and Ash Productions who turned the ROG into a starry wonderland.