In March 2025, a unique, one-off Oceanwide expedition will steam south, heading deep into the Antarctic Circle and venturing past pack ice and towering icebergs toward the immense - and delicate Wilkins Ice Shelf. While spectacular, we seek not only the landscapes of this wild, remote region. Our goal doesn't just lay around the ship, but high above it, in the seldom-seen but breath-taking polar southern sky.
Like the Northern Hemisphere, the southern polar regions are home to stunning auroral displays. While the North is graced with the swirling colors of the aurora borealis, Antarctica, the extreme South of our planet, is the icy kingdom of the aurora australis—the southern lights. This expedition offers a rare and thrilling chance to witness this natural wonder in all its glory, a sight few have had the privilege to see. Within the Antarctic Circle, located at 66° 33′ South, the nights are long, and skies are unblemished by light pollution - ideal conditions for astronomy!
An expert-led expedition to the stars
This expedition is not just about the destination but also about the journey of knowledge. It offers the unique opportunity to delve deep into the Antarctic Circle, where the conditions are perfect for witnessing the southern lights and the mesmerizing southern skies. What sets this expedition apart is the presence of two distinguished scientific guides: Dr. Tyler Nordgren, retired professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Redlands, and Dr. Julie Rathbun, Senior Research Associate at Cornell University and a member of the science team for NASA's Europa Clipper Mission.
Complementing the ship's team of guides, all of whom have specializations ranging from geology to ornithology and biology, Drs. Nordgren and Rathbun will lead discussions about the importance of Antarctica as a scientific region and night-viewing activities, exploring astronomical opportunities unique to the Southern Hemisphere and, of course, the magical southern lights.
“We're going down below the Antarctic Circle, as far south as we can get, following in the wake of those amazing Antarctic explorers of the past," says Dr. Nordgren. "So, this is a perfect connection. We can hope to see the southern lights just as those early Antarctic explorers did, seeking new experiences and discovering something entirely unknown to those on board!"
What are the southern lights?
Like the northern lights, the southern lights are a natural light display, or 'aurora,' caused by the disturbance in Earth's magnetosphere caused by solar wind. Essentially, solar wind (charged particles released from the Sun) alters the trajectories of plasma particles in our planet's atmosphere. These particles, through ionization, emit light of varying color, the strength and shape of which depends on the level of acceleration driving the particles in our atmosphere.
The color we see depends on what kind of atmospheric interaction occurs with (oxygen or nitrogen) and how high these particles are in the atmosphere when the collision occurs,
- Blue to violet – below 100 km
- Green – 100 – 240 km
- Red – over 240 km
This means that what we witness in the skies above depends entirely on processes and chemical movement in the Sun and outer space. For this reason, among other variables from our constantly moving world, astronomy and aurora viewing are about seizing opportunities when they present themselves. Clear skies and aurora displays can appear swiftly and disappear just as fast in the polar regions. "It's a real seize-the-moment experience," Dr. Nordgren continues. "We will make announcements, wake folks up, and give them a chance to get out on deck to look up and see the Aurora."
Dr. Rathbun, who is currently closely involved with NASA's Europa Clipper mission, set to launch in October 2024, will lead onboard discussions about the importance of the polar regions when theorizing and researching what conditions on icy extraterrestrial worlds could be like. Europa, the smallest of Jupiter's four moons, may be one of the most promising places in our solar system for harboring extraterrestrial life within its sub-surface oceans. In the search for life beyond our planet and exploring worlds beyond our own, Antarctica, both above and below ground, offers clues and can act as a proving ground for theories, methods, and technologies - Europa's polar regions experience temperatures as low as -220 °C!
A more profound Antarctica experience and connection with the universe
Part of the appeal of venturing so far south and viewing the southern skies and southern lights is the chance to witness the universe beyond our world as a tangible, three-dimensional entity. For many of us, the night sky is washed out because of light pollution, and in many cases, people forget to look up when living in urban areas.
The southern skies, in particular, offer mesmerizing views of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Iconic constellations such as the Southern Cross and skies full of extraterrestrial light offer guests a chance to reconnect with our night skies, rediscover the human experience, and our entwined history with the dark skies above.
"We all live in a digital world, where you can see the most amazing images, captured via telescope, or footage and photographs from the surface of Mars, but they're two-dimensional," says Dr Nordgren. "When we can physically visit areas with low light pollution and great visibility, we can see our universe as a three-dimensional concept - you can see the depth and scale of the Milky Way right there in the sky above you!"
"When we see these tangible, three-dimensional objects in the sky above us, we can form a closer connection to them," Dr. Nordgren concludes. "Very rapidly, you understand you are a tiny part of this vast universe. It's a profound experience. On this trip, we hope to be able to share it as a group!"
Do you want to experience the beauty of the southern lights and witness the majestic southern sky in all its glory among Antarctica's glaciers, icebergs, and frozen expanses? Join Drs. Nordgren and Rathbun as they steam south in pursuit of scientific wonder. Book your place aboard this unique, one-time expedition cruise today!