The prime meridian is a geographical reference line that passes through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in London.
The prime meridian was first established by Sir George Airy in 1851, and by 1884, over two-thirds of all ships and tonnage used it as the reference meridian on their charts and maps. In October of that year, at the behest of US President Chester A. Arthur, 41 delegates from 25 nations met in Washington, D.C., United States, for the International Meridian Conference. This conference selected the meridian passing through Greenwich as the official prime meridian due to its popularity.
The prime meridian was long symbolised by a brass strip in the Royal Observatory courtyard, now replaced by stainless steel, and since 16 December 1999, it has been marked by a powerful green laser shining north across the London night sky.
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The prime meridian is a geographical reference line that passes through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in London.
