Royal Olympic Cruises and Ted Pedas
are pleased to offer you another spectacular Eclipse At Sea


African Eclipse Cruise
An Eclipse Voyage to Totality in the Indian Ocean

 

[African Eclipse Logo]

Join us to intercept the total solar eclipse of December 4, 2002 aboard

the Olympia Countess

[Ship - Countess]

Destinations

  • November 5 to December 7, 2002 — 32-day Grand Africa Eclipse
    Venice, Italy to Durban, South Africa

  • November 8 to December 7, 2002 — 29-day Grand Africa Eclipse
    Piraeus, Greece to Durban, South Africa

  • November 21 to December 7, 2002 — 16-day Grand Africa Eclipse
    Mahe, Seychelles to Durban, South Africa

  • November 5 to November 30, 2002 — 25-day Africa Adventure
    Venice, Italy to Durban, South Africa

  • November 30 to December 7, 2002 — 7-day Voyage to Darkness
    Round trip - Durban, South Africa

[Map - Venice to Durban]

[passengers]

[Ted Signature]

 

November 14, 2002

Dear Eclipse Cruise Traveler,

Those of you who have sailed on one or more of my previous Voyage to Darkness cruises are well aware of the grandeur provided by a total eclipse of the sun as viewed from sea.

I am pleased to announce our African Eclipse 2002 cruise aboard Royal Olympic's Olympia Countess to greet the Dec 4, 2002 total eclipse of the sun off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. This extraordinary voyage provides the best in travel — an exciting destination for an equally exciting celestial event.

[Voyage to Darkness Eclipse] This classic 814-passenger vessel was the lead ship of five Royal Olympic ships for the August 11, 1999 total solar eclipse in the Black Sea. This year's eclipse itinerary offers exotic destinations while the Olympia Countess' maneuverability allows us to seek the best possible eclipse viewing location.

In the tradition begun with the very first eclipse cruise, (my 1972 Voyage to Darkness), we offer an outstanding Science at Sea program featuring distinguished teams of international authorities and scholars, journalists, astronomers, educators, meteorologists and photographers. They will provide you with lectures, seminars, round table discussions, slide presentations and one-on-one discussions before and after the eclipse.

The December 4, 2002 eclipse will be observed from the decks of the Olympia Countess at the most advantageous position possible off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The approximate location is 27° South Latitude and 37° East Longitude with the Sun's altitude at 53°. The duration of totality will be one minute and 40 seconds.

[Voyages to Darkness Cartoon] The maneuverability of a ship at sea is a major benefit for eclipse-seeking passengers. Part of the lifeblood of a ship is its immediate access to weather information; this constant monitoring of weather satellite data will allow it to move to a site of clear visibility. The Olympia Countess will have access to one of the world's foremost eclipse meteorologists who will assist the captain in finding the best viewing location.

The visibility at sea is 360°. From horizon to horizon, there are no obstructions - no haze,dust or pollution that can obscure viewing from land.

Just as important, traveling to the path of totality aboard the Olympic Countess means passengers take all the comforts, conveniences and luxuries with them.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect - and the one most difficult to describe - is the camaraderie that forms on board through sharing of a special moment with a group of like-minded people. Viewing a total solar eclipse under these conditions can turn this celestial occurrence into an event that is remembered forever.

We invite you to share with us the camaraderie of friends and adverturers, the excitement of an exquisite cruise, the dramatic splendor of a total eclipse of the Sun and the thrill of experiencing exciting destinations.

Join us on board -- the adventure awaits!
 

Ted Pedas

 

 

[Dr.Fred Espenak]
Credit: NASA Reference Publication, Dr. Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson

On Wednesday, December 04, 2002 a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from within a narrow corridor which traverses the Southern Hemisphere. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in the South Atlantic and crosses southern Africa. After traversing the southern Indian Ocean, the path sweeps through southern Australia where the eclipse ends at sunset.


Enrichment Lecturers
(partial list)

Africa Adventure and Voyage to Darkness 2002
Africa Adventure 2003
A team of experts from a variety of fields will lead us through our extraordinary journey.
M. Scott Carpenter
November 5 to December 7, 2002 sailings
The second American to orbit Earth, Scott Carpenter is one of our country's modern heroes. After exploring outer space, he traveled to ‘inner space’ and explored the sea as an aquanaut.
Zvi Dor-Ner
Nov 5 to Nov 30, 2002 and April 13 to May 8, 2003 sailings
Originator and co-executive producer of 2000 Today/The Millennium Day Broadcast, the acclaimed, 26-hour live TV event tht went around the world and around the clock to show celebrations and reflections from 70 countries on December 31, 1999 and January 1, 2000. His other productions include “Apollo 13: To the Edge and Back” and “Columbus and The Age of Discovery” for which he authored the companion book.
Jolyon E.P. Halse
Nov 5 to Nov 30 and Apr 13 - May 8 2003 sailings
A Fellow of the Geological Society, Jolyon Halse combines his vast knowledge of the world beneath our feet with ancient history and archaeology to bring the large picture of geologic time into focus.
George T. Keene
Nov 5 to Dec 7, 2002 and Apr 13 to May 8, 2003 sailings,
A retired Eastman Kodak scientist and astrophotographer, George Keene has received international acclaim for his photography of celestial phenomena as well as photographs taken throughout the world.
Dr. Edwin C. Krupp
Nov 24 - Dec 7, 2002
Active in archaeoastronomy for over twenty years, Dr. Edwin Krupp is Director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA. His knowledge of the history and legends associated with eclipses is a natural extension of his studies of prehistoric, ancient and traditional astronomy.
Robin Rector Krupp
Nov 24 - Dec 7, 2002
Robin Rector Krupp writes and illustrates books for children. Three of these books have been done with her husband, Dr. E. C. Krupp. She has taught drawing and design at Pierce College, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and the California State University at Northridge. Currently she offers seminars on book illustration at Associates in Art at Van Nuys, California. Robin is a veteran of four total solar eclipses and has led journal workshops after three of them, encouraging others to capture the experience in art and words (some of which appear below.) Aboard the Caribbean Eclipse Cruise, she presented "Quick Sketching and Journal Keeping" and "Capture the Feeling: A Post Eclipse Workshop".
Ted Pedas
Nov 5 - Dec 7, 2002 and Apr 13 to May 8, 2003 sailings
Acknowledged as a pioneer in ocean-going travel programs on science and natural history themes, astronomer and planetarium scientist Ted Pedas serves as an enrichment coordinator for Royal Olympic Cruises. He was a founding member of the International Planetarium Society, and has been a science writer for magazines and newspapers for more than 30 years.
Note: Not all individual lecturers will be on all cruise segments. Circumstances beyond their control may change participation by one or more lecturers.

Enrichment Lecture Program — Science at Sea

Ted Pedas and Royal Olympic Cruises take pride in presenting the most comprehensive enrichment lecture programs afloat. Distinguished guest lecturers — experts from a variety of disciplines — are on board to share their knowledge and experience.

[Caribbean Ecl Staff]

Dr. Anthony Aveni (moderator), Ted Pedas (in background), Robin Krupp, Dr. Ed Krupp, Dr. Ed Brooks,
George Keene, Dr. Ron Parise, Dr. Warren Young, Dr. Paul Knappenberger, Dr. Patrick Moore

Biographies of ‘Science at Sea’ Enrichment Staff

 

Ted Pedas Links


E-mail:   Ted Pedas — mpedas@ix.netcom.com