This fascinating science-focused winter voyage offers a great opportunity to discover more about the Northern Lights and the cosmos. Accompanied by one of our three renowned astronomers - Dr John Mason MBE, Ian Ridpath and Graham Bryant - who will give a series of exclusive onboard lectures and presentations.
Through this series of lectures and a guided tour of the night sky from the deck of the ship, your lecturer will bring the world of stars, planets and meteors closer whilst also exploring the numerous myths and legends linked to the constellations in our skies. Here are some examples of what you can expect:
- Fantastic Lights - an introduction to the Northern Lights
- Exploring the Solar System - Travel through the solar system from Mercury to Nepture and view the planets up close as seen by space probes
- Stories of the stars - Relive the Greek mythology of the constellations and learn about stellar discoveries by modern astronomers
- Comets, ghostly wanderers in space - Find out where comets come from, what they are made of and their role in the development of life on Earth
- From the international space station to the surface of Mars
- The splendour of total solar eclipses
- Exploring the Arctic night sky
- Our violent sun and space weather
- Visit to the Science Centre and Tromsø Planetarium on day 5
- You will spend time at the Science of Northern Norway visiting their exhibits and installations on the Northern Lights. The Planetarium, part of the Science Centre, is the northernmost planetarium in the world and the largest in Norway. It has a full dome ceiling offering 360 degree views, with room for 100 visitors, and high quality digital projectors showing daily films about 'Experiencing the Aurora' and the constellations.
Your lecturers on board
Dr John Mason, MBE - On Astronomy Voyages departing:
- 7 November 2017
- 12 January 2018
- 8 March 2018
- 3 October 2018
- 5 November 2018
- 30 December 2018
- 1 February 2019
- 29 March 2019
An Applied Physicist by profession, Dr John Mason has been actively involved in Science for over 30 years, with Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Technology as his main interests. He is currently Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, has been a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society since 1976, and is a full member of the International Astronomical Union. He lectures extensively in the UK and overseas on a wide range of scientific topics and is a frequent broadcaster on radio and television, having appeared many times with Sir Patrick Moore on BBC TV's 'The Sky at Night.'
Ian Ridpath - On Astronomy Voyages departing:
- 16 October 2017
- 13 November 2017
- 14 February 2018
- 31 October 2018
- 1 March 2019
Ian Ridpath has been a full time writer and broadcaster on Astronomy since 1972 and has previously worked at the University of London Observatory and in publishing. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004-07), as well as a member of the Society of Authors and of the Association of British Science Writers. He is also the Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and Norton's Star Atlas, a publication now in its twentieth edition since 1910.
Graham Bryant - On an Astronomy Voyage departing:
Graham is Chairman of the Clanfield Observatory in Hampshire – the largest amateur observatory in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and part-time presenter at the South Downs Planetarium. Graham also mentors the final year astronomy module at the University of Portsmouth.
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