Solar eclipse 2003: the far side of Antarctica with Crozet and Kerguelen Islands aboard the Quark Expeditions' Kapitan Khlebnikov (Apr. 9, 2002)

Solar eclipse 2003: the far side of Antarctica with Crozet and Kerguelen Islands aboard the Quark Expeditions' Kapitan Khlebnikov
The solar eclipse in 2003 is especially unusual because of its very remote location and we believe that the voyage onboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov will be one of the few ways to witness this spectacular event. Our icebreaker provides the perfect platform for viewing and is powerful enough to negotiate the ice in order to position the ship in the optimum location for everyone on board to witness this unique event.

This expedition cruise offers you a unique opportunity to experience the solitude and fantastic isolation of the frozen continent of Antarctica and, at the same time, witness a rare and beautiful event that, once seen, will never be forgotten - a total eclipse of the sun. To watch the sun disappear is one of the most amazing spectacles in the whole of the natural world. For many people the tension and drama combine to make this a life changing experience.

As far as we can tell, we will be the first people to witness a solar eclipse in this extremely remote part of Antarctica. There was an eclipse in this area on 21 September 1903 but it is believed to have only been seen by penguins! The Far Side of Antarctica remains far less visited than any other part of Antarctica due to its extreme remoteness and barriers of heavy pack ice - the Kapitan Khlebnikov is the only passenger ship to have ever traversed this superb region.

November 4 - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Today is at leisure to explore this busy city. Later we meet fellow travelers at our hotel where accommodations are provided.

November 5 - Port Elizabeth
After breakfast we transfer to the pier and embark the Kapitan Khlebnikov. We sail out of Port Elizabeth, heading south like so many of the early Antarctic expeditions of discovery have done before.

November 6-9 - Southern Ocean
Our expedition staff introduces the various species of birds and marine life that we will encounter on our voyage. You can expect to see albatross, Great-winged Petrels, Kerguelen Petrels and Coryís Shearwaters.

November 10 - Crozet Islands
The Crozet Islands have been occupied by whalers and sealers sporadically since their discovery in 1772. Pending weather conditions and government permissions, we land at the French research station. From the base, we take in the spectacle of tens of thousands of nesting King Penguins. Moulting elephant seals add their unique sounds and smells to the amazing display of wildlife found here.

November 11-12 - At Sea
Continuing south, our staff present slide-illustrated lectures on the geology, biology and history of the region. Anticipation mounts as we scan the horizon for our first glimpse of the rugged coastline of the Kerguelen Islands.

November 13-14 - Kerguelen Islands
Administered by France, Kerguelen is the largest landmass in the south Indian Ocean, sixty miles long and partially glaciated. Thirty species of bird nest on the island including Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo and King Penguins. Abundant wildlife includes southern elephant seals, Kerguelen fur seals, albatross, Giant Petrels, skuas, sheathbills and the Kerguelen Tern. Among the places we plan to visit is the French biological station at Port-aux FranÁais.

November 15 - Cruise Heard Island
Today we cruise along Heard Island, an active volcano and the highest and southernmost of the Indian Ocean Islands. Huge numbers of Macaroni Penguins breed along the shores of this remote sanctuary - along with King Penguins and tens of thousands of Rockhopper and Gentoo Penguins. The island has been protected since 1987 and is renowned for its changeable weather conditions.

November 16 - Southern Ocean
Continuing south, we encounter the first large icebergs of the voyage.

November 17-18 - In the Ice
Depending on our progress, we reach the ice edge sometime today. We are now in the realm of the Emperor Penguin and Ross seal. Conditions permitting, we board the helicopter for thrilling views of our ship at work in polar, ice clad waters.

November 19 - Zhongshan and Larsemann Hills
There are several research stations located in the vicinity of the Larseman Hills. Zhongshan, a Chinese station, is set along the ice-free coast in a region known for wildlife. We plan to visit the base and explore the surrounding area.

November 20 - Amanda Bay Emperor Penguin Rookery
Here, at this frozen cove, 9,000 Emperor Penguins congregate in a breathtaking setting of granite islands, glaciers and icebergs. We are fortunate to visit in November when large numbers of appealing grey chicks in different stages of development still huddle on the ice. Because of their nesting habits and inaccessibility, only a fortunate few have ever encountered Emperor Penguins and their charming chicks.

November 21 - Davis Station
Australiaís Davis Station, which we hope to visit, is set in a dramatic ice-free region of 100-foot-high hills and fjords. Over 200,000 Adelie Penguins breed in the area.

November 22-23 - Cruise West Ice Shelf
Depending on the often challenging ice we plan to skirt the massive West Ice Shelf searching for the rare Ross seal. Orcas and Minke whales patrol the edge of the permanent fast ice in search of food.

November 24 - Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse is caused by the perfect alignment of the moon coming precisely between the sun and the earth. As the moon appears to be only very slightly larger in the sky than the sun, the total phase is only visible from a small area of the earth.

We are planning to observe this spectacular eclipse off the Queen Mary Coast, in the Davis Sea, west of the Shackleton Ice Shelf. This is just where the track first comes ashore and where the middle of totality is expected to be at 2240 GMT. With a longitude around 90 degrees, the eclipse will actually take place at 0440 local time on November 24 making it feel like an eclipse of the night time sun. The reason for this is that the eclipse takes place near to the time of the southern summer solstice and we will be so far south that the sun only sets below the horizon for about 3‡ hours.

November 25-26 - Shackleton Ice Shelf & Casey Station
En route to Australiaís Casey Station, we traverse the spectacular Petersen Bank, a region where large concentrations of tabular icebergs lay grounded on the shoals below. Adelie Penguins and South Polar Skuas nest on nearby islands.

November 27 - Ice Edge
Sometime today, the Captain will search for a large ice floe so that we can moor along the ice edge for a unique farewell party

November 28-December 2 - Southern Ocean
Join our naturalists to spot seabirds and marine mammals that become increasingly diverse as we approach Australia.

December 3 - Hobart, Australia
Arrive this morning at the historic port of Hobart where we say goodbye to the Kapitan Khlebnikov and continue home individually.

EXPEDITION TEAM AND GUEST LECTURERS
Accompanying the voyage will be a dedicated and experienced staff of expedition leaders, naturalists and lecturers. We will also be joined by special guest lecturers and these will include:

Prof. John Parkinson - Astronomer / Advisor
Professor John Parkinson is the Director of Science and Mathematics at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. He has led eclipse expeditions all over the world seeing eight total eclipses and so many partial eclipses he's lost count. From Siberia to Sumatra and Hawaii to Borneo. His expedition to observe the 1998 eclipse from Curacao in the Caribbean was the subject of a BBC TV documentary called Shadow Chasers. He was the lead scientist on BBC TVs live coverage of the 1999 eclipse which attracted a record breaking 13 million viewers!!

Dr. Fred Espenak - Astronomer / Advisor
Dr Espenak is an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center where he uses state-of-the-art infrared spectrometers to probe the atmospheres of the planets. Dr. Espenak is also the agency's expert in the prediction of solar and lunar eclipses. He prepares NASA's official eclipse publications which are used worldwide for the planning and execution of numerous eclipse expeditions. His interest in eclipses was first sparked after witnessing the total solar eclipse of March 1970. Since then, he has participated in over 21 eclipse expeditions.

Expedition Rates are per person in US dollars, based on shared occupancy. Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price. Please ask about our request share program. Triple cabins are identical to twins but with a third pull down berth.

Triple Cabin US$18,995; Twin Cabin US$24,995; Suite US$31,995; Corner Suite US$35,995

Rates include the voyage aboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov as indicated in the itinerary, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation on a shared basis with breakfast, all meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship, all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac and helicopter (as included in group excursions with no specific amount of helicopter time guaranteed), and the program of lectures and leadership by an experienced expedition staff.

Also included are transfers and baggage handling between the group hotel and ship, all service taxes and port charges throughout the program, comprehensive pre-departure materials and Antarctic handbook, and a special expedition jacket and post-expedition log.

A refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to guarantee a cabin. In due course we will require a deposit of 10% to confirm a reservation; a further 15% in February 2003 and in May 2003 with the final payment (60%) due 120 days prior to departure on 08 July 2003.

A brochure complete with full details of the voyage will be produced later in 2002.

(Source: Quark Expeditions)