fred watson tours

• Science & Environment
• History & Culture
• Opinion & Analysis
• Destinations
• Activity Central
• Creature Features
• Earth Heroes
• Survival Guides
• Travel with AG
• Travel Articles
• About the Australian Geographic Society
• AG Society News
• Sponsorship
• Fundraising
• Australian Geographic Society Expeditions
• Sponsorship news
• Our Country Immersive Experience
• AG Nature Photographer of the Year
• Web Stories
• Adventure Instagram

Home Travel Destinations Western Australia The Solar Eclipse Expedition

The Solar Eclipse Expedition

Darwin to Broome l 15 April 2023 l $13,490pp – FULLY BOOKED, JOIN THE WAITLIST

JOIN US ABOARD Coral Adventurer on our special expedition, The Solar Eclipse Expedition, in partnership with the Australian Geographic Society. Sail to Ashmore Reef to experience the rare, hybrid solar eclipse from this isolated location.Toast this unforgettable event with champagne while sharing in the knowledge of the astronomy experts on board. Be immersed in the forces of nature as the sky darkens and the wildlife around you reacts to this incredible phenonenom.

Expert guides

Fred Watson and Marnie Ogg

Fred Watson is Australia’s first Astronomer-at-Large. Recognised internationally for helping to pioneer the use of fibre optics in astronomy during the 1980s, Fred is best known today for his award-winning radio and TV broadcasts, books and dark-sky advocacy.

Marnie Ogg has 30 years of experience in tourism. Seeing the designation of Australia’s first Dark Sky Place, managing Sydney Observatory and founding the Australian Dark Sky Alliance has seen her receive two International Dark Sky Defender awards.

Also aboard will be photographer Scott Portelli, who won Australian Geographic’s Nature Photographer of the Year 2021.

Expedition highlights

• Experience a rare, hybrid solar eclipse at Ashmore Reef, WA. Watch birdlife react to this event, flying home to roost in the middle of the day as you plunge into darkness
• Enjoy the company of expert guides who’ll be with you, sharing their knowledge and interpretation of wildlife, astronomy and photography
• Witness the grandeur of King George River and its twin falls
• Walk among ancient Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock-art galleries
• Experience the thrill of riding on a Zodiac through Horizontal Falls

Trip itinerary

• Sail to isolated Ashmore Reef to view the rare hybrid eclipse event from the sheltered anchorage of the lagoon, accompanied by champagne and canapes
• Ride the rapids through the famous Horizontal Falls
• See locations carved by geological forces, including Iron Islands, past Koolan Island and Nares Point
• Sail through Whirlpool Passage, explore Edeline Island, walk along the pristine white sands of Silica Beach
• Witness the mammoth tide recede to reveal Montgomery Reef
• Be immersed in wildlife havens Adele Island and the Lacepede Islands
• Hear thundering torrents of water cascading down King George River and Falls and Mitchell Falls
• Explore colourful coral reefs teeming with marine life at Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef

For more information head to Coral Expeditions or call 1800 079 545 .

Golden days in Bathurst

To really appreciate a region, you need to go back in time.

Hit the road in North Queensland

With unique locations, jaw-dropping experiences and dinky-di Aussie characters, North Queensland is the place for your next road trip.

Nine must-see heritage attractions in the Bathurst region

The oldest European settlement west of New South Wales’ Blue Mountains, Bathurst is pure gold.

Watch Latest Web Stories

Birds of Stewart Island / Rakiura

Endangered fairy-wrens survive Kimberley floods

Australia’s sleepiest species

2024 Calendars & Diaries - OUT NOW

Our much loved calendars and diaries are now available for 2024. Adorn your walls with beautiful artworks year round. Order today.

In stock now: Hansa Soft Toys and Puppets

From cuddly companions to realistic native Australian wildlife, the range also includes puppets that move and feel like real animals.

Stargazing Live: A tour of the stars and planets of the great southern sky

Look up! It's Stargazing Live season at the ABC — and you can join astronomer Fred Watson on a guided journey of the Milky Way.

Along the way you'll see beautiful constellations, star clusters, galaxies, and the mighty Jupiter and Moon.

• All you need to do is go outside on a clear night between 8pm and 9pm.
• Or just put your headphones on, and experience the wonders of the universe while you're on the bus.

For the best experience:

• Find a spot away from lights and trees.
• Give your eyes 10 to 15 minutes to adjust, then look up and listen.
• You'll get the best view if you have binoculars or a telescope.
• Turn your phone on to night mode to reduce light interference.

The Southern Cross

The tour begins with the most iconic constellation in the southern hemisphere.

At this time of year, the Southern Cross — or Crux Australis — is upright in the sky between 8pm and 9pm.

You need to look south to see it, but if you're not sure what direction that is the stars will help you.

Scan the sky for the two bright stars Alpha and Beta Centauri . They are about three and a half handspans above the southern horizon. (To get a handspan, stretch your arm out in front of you and it's the distance between your outstretched thumb and little finger.)

Follow the line of the pointers right towards the cross.

The brightest star, at the foot of the cross, is called Alpha Crucis . It's an alpha star, which is the name given to the brightest star in a constellation.

Towards the centre of the cross is the fifth, and faintest star Epsilon Crucis or Ginan , which can be hard to see in areas with lots of light pollution.

While it appears to us like a cross, vast distances separate each of these stars in three-dimensional space.

Hey, if you're reading this, you're seriously missing out

The interactive, audio-driven version of this sky tour is really something special — a celestial tour-de-force. And we don't say that lightly. You really should check it out — tap through and choose the 'get started' button.

The Jewel Box

If you look at the star in the Southern Cross that's closest to the pointers, which is called Beta Crucis or Mimosa , you'll see a real gem.

Sitting just to the left of Mimosa is a beautiful little cluster of more than 100 orange, yellow and blue stars.

In 1830, the English astronomer John Herschel was so enamoured by the cluster, known as NGC 4755, he nicknamed it the Jewel Box .

Through binoculars or a telescope you can make out details of the A-shaped cluster, including a red supergiant star.

The Jewel Box is about 6,400 light years away, so the light we see today was emitted before the Great Pyramids in Egypt were built.

The Emu in the Sky

The Southern Cross and Jewel Box sit in a rich part of the Milky Way. If you are in a dark area on a moonless night, you'll see our galaxy as a band of light stretching across the sky.

This area is also home to one of the best-known Indigenous constellations. The Emu in the Sky is recognised by Aboriginal people across Australia.

It's a constellation made of dark patches in the Milky Way. Between 8pm and 9pm in May, the head of the emu appears as a dark patch just below the Jewel Box to the left of the Southern Cross.

This is the Coalsack nebula — a patch of gas and dust that hides the light from the stars behind it.

The Emu's neck passes between the pointer stars, and its body lies in the constellation of Scorpius further towards the eastern horizon in the early evening.

Omega Centauri

Sitting left and above the Southern Cross at this time of night is another stunning star cluster.

Omega Centauri is the biggest and most massive cluster in the Milky Way. Astronomers believe it may be the core of an ancient galaxy that was stripped of its outer stars.

To find it, scan upwards and to the left (east) until you're at a position that makes an equilateral triangle with the cross and the pointers. It looks like a fuzzy blob, which is quite different from the points of stars.

While it may not look like it to the naked eye, it contains over 10 million stars located about 15,800 light years away.

The stars, which are between 10 billion and 12 billion years old, are so tightly packed they are only about a third of a light-year apart.

That's roughly 13 times closer than the closest star to our Sun.

Carina Nebula

Sitting about half a handspan to the right of the brightest star in the Southern Cross is spectacular Carina Nebula , a huge cloud of dust and gas dotted with bright stars.

One of these is Eta Carinae — a strange double star system surrounded by its own orangey-red nebula.

And it is like nothing else we know of. The bigger star in the system is coming to the end of its life, but its ultimate fate is a mystery.

It exploded in the 1800s, becoming the second brightest object in the sky, but came back to life a hundred years later.

When it explodes again, which could happen at any time, it may become the brightest supernova we've ever seen.

The Diamond Cross and the Southern Pleiades

The Southern Cross is not the only cross in our sky, a fact that sometimes confuses stargazers.

About half a handspan below the Carina Nebula, and about half a handspan to the right of the brightest star in the Southern Cross, is the Diamond Cross .

This is not a constellation, which are strictly defined by the International Astronomical Union; instead it's an asterism — a group of stars that form a pattern or shape. It sits in the constellation of Carina .

The point of the Diamond Cross closest to the Carina Nebula, known as Theta Carinae , is not a single star, but a beautiful open cluster of stars known as the Southern Pleiades . Astronomers give it the much less evocative name of IC 2602.

Discovered by Abbe Lacaille in 1751, it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, but binoculars or a small telescope reveal the cluster in more detail.

The False Cross and the Southern Beehive

If you look further to the right of the Diamond Cross you'll see another cross-like asterism, the False Cross.

This often gets mistaken for the Southern Cross, but it is much larger and it doesn't have pointer stars.

Its stars actually belong to two different constellations — Vela and Carina .

If you have binoculars, you can also look for a compact star cluster a little below the right tip of the False Cross. This is NGC 2516 or the Southern Beehive. A telescope will reveal some of the stars are actually double stars.

The Large Magellanic Cloud

If are in a dark sky area on a moonless night, you can use the False Cross to help find one of our galactic neighbours.

Follow the long axis for the False Cross downwards and you'll see a fuzzy patch of light about halfway between the False Cross and the horizon.

This is the Large Magellanic Cloud .

Its neighbour, the Small Magellanic Cloud is close to the southern horizon and is very difficult to see without perfect conditions and a moonless sky at this time of the year.

The Magellanic Clouds are actually dwarf galaxies that are slowly being pulled apart by our Galaxy. They look like they're stray bits of the Milky Way but they're actually not directly connected.

The Large Magellanic Cloud, which is 165,000 light years away, is filled with star nurseries.

The brightest of these is called the Tarantula Nebula — a glowing mass of stars and gas filaments that look like spider legs.

If you are in a dark sky area you can see the nebula using binoculars or, even better, a rich-field telescope.

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky — and at this time of year it is sitting almost due west.

To find it, head right from False Cross (past Canopus the second brightest star in the sky, near the foot of the False Cross) and you'll see it sitting low on the western horizon.

Known as the Dog Star because it sits in the constellation of Canis major , Sirius is also the ultimate twinkling star. This effect is due to turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere breaking up the star's light into different colours of the spectrum.

This colourful twinkling is particularly noticeable when the star is close to the horizon, as it is at this time of year, when it sets at about 9:00PM.

The brightest object in the night sky is the Moon . The subject of a multitude of love songs and conspiracy theories, it is hard to miss — most of the time.

The only time you can't see the Moon is during the new moon phase , when it is close to the Sun in the sky.

This year during Stargazing week, the Moon will be at first quarter, which means it is a quarter of the way through its cycle and half of its face is lit.

Even the most modest binoculars will reveal the Moon's bigger craters, especially when they are illuminated obliquely by the Sun, as they are at first quarter.

It's also easy to make out the grey areas, known since ancient times as 'seas', but which are actually basaltic lava flows.

At 8pm it sits in the north-west near the constellation of Leo. As the week progresses it appears higher in the sky towards the east as it brightens towards the full moon at the end of the month.

The zodiacal constellation of Leo dominates the heavens at this time of year — although it will be a bit dimmed during Stargazing Live week because of the Moon.

The bright stars in Leo make up a stick-figure lion — at least in the northern hemisphere. It is upside down in the Southern Hemisphere.

The constellation is named after the mythological monster killed by Heracles but it was also depicted as a lion in much earlier cultures across the Near East.

The group of stars representing Leo's head and forepaws is shaped like an upside-down question mark and is often called the Sickle.

At the base of the question mark is Leo's brightest star — Regulus — which means 'little king'.

Regulus is actually a double star. If you look through binoculars, you may be able to spot its fainter companion.

Leo is also home to some spectacular galaxies that are visible through small telescopes. One of these is spectacular spiral galaxy called M66. It is part of a trio known as the Leo triplet.

Jupiter and Saturn

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system — it's a gas giant with a mass more than double that of all the other planets in our solar system combined. It also has lots of moons, 67 that we know of.

Jupiter sits in the north-eastern sky around 8pm in late May this year.

Like the moon its position against the background stars changes over time as it moves along a line called the ecliptic.

It forms a lovely triangle with two prominent stars in the northern sky: Arcturus , the brightest star in the constellation of Bootes ; and Spica , the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo .

If you have binoculars or, even better, a telescope, you will be able to make out Jupiter and, nearby, one or more of its four largest moons: Ganymede , Callisto , Io , and Europa .

By 9pm as Jupiter moves higher in the north-eastern sky, you will also see Saturn as it rises above the eastern horizon in the constellation of Sagittarius .

If you have a telescope you should be able to make out its rings. Even binoculars can reveal Saturn’s elongated shape due to the rings.

That brings us to the end of our May night sky tour. Remember: the night sky is always there for all to see. All you need is clear weather and a little patience to find your way among the stars.

About your guide

Professor Fred Watson is a well-known astronomer, author and science communicator. Working at the Australian Astronomical Observatory, he is passionate about preserving dark sky spaces so everyone can enjoy the night sky.

• Reporter, producer: Genelle Weule
• Astronomer & narrator: Fred Watson
• Audio producer: Maria Tickle
• Audio engineer: Richard Girvan
• Designer, photo illustrations: Ben Spraggon
• Developer: Colin Gourlay
• Editor: Matt Liddy

With many thanks to our community of remarkable astrophotographers: David Malin, Mike O'Day, Anthony Wesley, River Petein, Steve Crouch, Suavi Lipinski, Padraic Koen, Michael Worthington, Bruce Bull, Joe Perulero, Diego Collonello, James Garlick and Krusty Ed.

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Astronomy (Space)
• Science and Technology

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Night sky dreaming - an indigenous astronomy tour, about your leaders, trip highlights.

• An after dinner talk by Ray Norris
• A cruise on the Murray River by Paddle Steamer
• A tour of the ‘Walls of China’ lunette system with Indigenous guide Harry Nanya
• A river cruise on the Menindee Lakes
• Exploring Kinchega National Park’s abundant bird and wildlife
• Discovering Mutawintji National Park’s Historic Site
• Visiting the Sculpture Symposium and the Royal Flying Doctors
• A special dinner with a local, NASA-employed, amateur astronomer Trevor Barry
• Visiting Siding Spring Observatory and the UK Schmidt Telescope

What’s included

• Special guest astronomers Ray Norris and Fred Watson
• Professional Tour Director
• 9 nights, comfortable country accommodation
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Entrance fees as note on the itinerary
• Private air-conditioned coach
• Australian Museum tour host

How to book

Great Post, i love it

Best things to see and do in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It’s rich and complex history is a constant reminder of its strategic position between Europe and Asia and makes it one of the cities you should visit once in your life. In terms of the many iconic landmarks, the delicious cuisine, and the characteristic, colorful architecture it has, Moscow is full of surprises for first-timers and seasoned travelers. Apart from the main attractions, it has like the Kremlin or Red Square, Moscow has many hidden gems for you to discover on your free walking tour with your local guide. 

On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow , you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all Moscow’s hidden gems is a great idea. This way you get to learn as much as possible about the local culture and way of life. A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without visiting iconic places like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, or the State Historical Museum, before getting some fresh air at Gorky Park, the medieval church of Kolomenskoye, or shopping at Izmailovsky Market. Don’t miss visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Bolshoi Theater, or checking out the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve. 

Many travelers have left their r eviews and opinions about the local guides , gurus, and the routes they walked. If you have any questions about the routes or what is included in the tour, check out their opinions. 

Free walking tour near Moscow

Others cities to visit after moscow, where are you traveling to.

Hey, your browser is out of date!

• Destinations ►
• Destinations
• Special Interest
• European Rivers ►
• Worldwide Rivers ►
• Operators ►
• Cruise & Stay
• Holiday Types ►
• Popular Destinations ►
• Rail Journeys ►
• European Rail
• Worldwide Rail
• Luxury Trains ►
• Popular Rail Journeys ►
• Hotel Jardín Tecina
• Botania Relais & Spa
• Maritim Hotels
• Request a Brochure
• Flight time from London: 3 hour 35 min
• Domodedovo International Airport: 45km from the city centre; transfer time about 1 hour 4 min
• Nearest railway station: Leningrad Station
• Currency: Russian ruble

As the largest city in Europe and Russia's capital, Moscow boasts gigantic buildings, expensively priced coffee and some of the wealthiest people in the world amongst its citizens.

Theatre plays a big part of the city's culture, with the world famous Bolshoi Theatre being just one of the many places which showcase the latest performances to the masses. These concerts are often at the heart of many of the festivals that come to Moscow on a yearly basis and there are also a variety of different local theatres which are continually offering premieres of the newest shows. Along with this, much of the art often spills out into the streets, creating a feast for the eyes of any lucky passers-by.

Moscow offers something for everyone, with romantic walks lit up by beautiful lights for the couples, art galleries and beautiful architecture for culture enthusiasts and Gorky Park and the Moscow Zoo for those travelling with children. A Moscow city break will not disappoint and you are sure to be welcomed with open arms.

One of the world's most recognisable public spaces, Red Square is as impressive in reality as it is onscreen. The heart of Moscow and the first destination for most visitors to the city, it is surrounded by St. Basil's Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum and one of the Kremlin's long brick walls.

The Kremlin

This gigantic site can not be missed. The Diamond collection in the Armoury is worth a visit on its own and there are also several stunning churches that warrant a look.

The Lenin Mausoleum

Walk past the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin (who actually did not want any monuments to be built for him) and join the debate if it is still him.

The Bolshoi Theater

The world-famous Bolshoi Theatre, meaning Big Theatre, is Russia's largest and most famous arts venue.

The Old Arbat

The historical Old Arbat is one of few pedestrian streets in Moscow. In recent years, it has long been considered one of the main cultural centres of Russia. The street boasts some of the country's most famous artists, composers, musicians and writers as its former residents.

Moscow has some of the best restaurants in Russia with prestigious chefs trained in the top kitchens of Europe. The capital offers a variety of different menus that provide a choice of regional or international cuisine. But most of the restaurants in the capital boast an array of gastronomic Azerbaijani specialities, which are highly recommended if you want to try delicious food in Moscow. Many restaurants are located in the very heart of the city, in old mansions, with which interesting stories and legend are closely connected.

Moscow has a terrific choice of shops, boutiques, markets and extraordinary malls to choose from. All the big name brands are here, plus some seriously pricey local producers too. Tverskaya Ulitsa, north of Red Square, is Moscow's most fashionable shopping street with numerous expensive boutiques, whilst most tourist-oriented gift stores tend to be concentrated on touristy Ulitsa Arbat.

Moscow captivates visitors with its thriving nightlife. It is full of events, premieres, concerts and offers everything from bars, clubs, racing, and bowling to fantastic theatres, circuses, cinemas and concert halls. All of them have interesting histories, so you will experience the unique atmosphere and ambience of these places. The city has a terrific choice of places to have fun, so you are sure to find something to suit your taste.

• Sort By: Price Price
• Clear All Filters

Departure Date

Specialisms

Fred. holidays.

© Fred. Olsen Travel 2024. Registered in England and Wales No. 02287241. 2nd Floor, 36 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BH

Bonded by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and by the Civil Aviation Authority's Air Travel Organisers Licensing (ATOL) scheme, you can look forward to your next adventure with the peace of mind that your money is financially protected in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Reasons to book with us... Financial protection afforded by our ABTA and ATOL industry bonding, giving you complete peace of mind. Dedicated team of experienced travel advisors waiting to tailor your holiday to your personal requirements. We can arrange all of your car hire, airport lounges and much more to make your holiday as easy as possible.

Free Tours in Your Language

Free Walking Tour › Moscow

Your Guides in Moscow

Highlights of your trip, free tours moscow.

Best Free Tours in Moscow

Highlights of a free tour in moscow, things to do in moscow.

Free Walking Tour Moscow

Pick a Date!

Tour Calendar

Free tour - what does it mean, free tours in more cities.

Latest reviews

Dark Sky Defender, Speaker, Tourism Consultant

With a 30 year history in tourism that includes Ansett, Flight Centre, Australian Pacific Tours, and several years with her own eco-based tourism business, Marnie returned from an astrotourism event in Europe, when she realised how truly special the Australian dark night sky is. Understanding that this natural asset needs to be preserved, she set about designating the Warrumbungle National Park as Australia’s first Dark Sky Place. Managing Sydney Observatory and Founding the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, has seen her receive two International Dark Sky Defender awards for her personal and board efforts, and conceiving and producing a Guinness World Record attempt with over 11,500 participants, has strengthened her commitment to creating inspirational places and experiences for human connection in the world, both day and night. Recently, her work consulting on dark sky place creation in Milparinka, Wentworth, Palm Beach and the Blue Mountains has seen dark sky place-making suitable for designation with the International Dark-Sky Association or simply to draw people more generally to the night sky in remote, regional and urban places. 

FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAVEL...?

Hmmm.... it's hard to choose a favourite, because the world is so varied and different corners offer different opportunities. That said, I'm sure I'd never get sick of going to Scandinavia - the heavily fish-based diet, the culture of the people, the glorious scenery (so different to Australia), and the magnificent aurora are all very attractive. Yes, I would say that is no#1. 

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS ♦ Founding Director - Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, educating public and policymakers about light pollution and how to avoid it ♦ Manager Sydney Observatory - heritage building, astronomical museum and public Observatory in the heart of the Rocks Sydney ♦ Exclusive day tour travel provider for Siding Spring Observatory 2020-2022

♦ Festival Director (consultant) for StarFest 2014 for Siding Spring Observatory, 40th Anniversary. Key contacts established with Astronaut Andy Thomas and science communicator Robyn Williams. ♦ Principal Investigator for the Committee for Dark Sky Park to promote the first UNESCO designated park in Australia (Warrumbungle National Park) to promote the educational, cultural and natural resource from which people of all ages can observe the night sky. ♦ Designed, conceived and delivered 45 fully inclusive domestic and international tour programs specifically targeted to the science-minded and academic communities.