Stargazing at Sea?

[BigJH]

In the Princess website there are advertisement for Princess' association with "Discovery" and in particular the look to be introducing an activity based around Stargazing. Both my children have started showing an interest in this so I was wondering if anyone knows whether this is happening on European sailings, we are on CB going to Scandinavia in May....

 

Thanks

[dmwnc1959]

In May, especially that far north, you're looking at sunsets occurring around 9pm, dusk (the end of civil twilight) around 10pm, and star gazing won't really be that good until complete darkness happens around 11pm.

 

Per the Princess Cruises website: "Debuts on sailings leaving Ft. Lauderdale in Spring 2015. Contingent upon weather and light conditions".

 

Since this is a new program for Princess Cruise, and you'll be among some of the first large cruise ships returning to Scandanavia, you'll have to let us know if it is indeed offered.

 

:D

[cr8tiv1]

The Grand (to Hawaii) had a lecturer on board who did astronomy talks. It was way over my head so gave up after a few tries. He did mention a relationship with the Discovery Channel. Lectures included nebulas, black holes, formation and death of stars, constellations, etc. I am a retired middle school science teacher but wanted the lectures to be more fun that educational. On the way back, there was an announcement in the Patter for one night of Stargazing (aft, deck 17? By the chess set). By then, he had lost me so I couldn't tell you how the event went.

 

The one evening that Mars, Venus or Jupiter, and the crest moon should be aligned was too overcast to see.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[MsVulcan]

It was way over my head so gave up after a few tries.

 

I am a retired middle school science teacher but wanted the lectures to be more fun that educational.

 

Wow! If you're a science teacher and it was over your head, what would it be like for us "average" cruisers? That doesn't sound like much fun. I do think the Stargazing things sounds interesting, I would definitely check that out.

[Colo Cruiser]

In the Princess website there are advertisement for Princess' association with "Discovery" and in particular the look to be introducing an activity based around Stargazing. Both my children have started showing an interest in this so I was wondering if anyone knows whether this is happening on European sailings, we are on CB going to Scandinavia in May....

 

Thanks

 

Here is a recent thread on your question......

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2171438&highlight=star+gazing

[dmwnc1959]

Wow! If you're a science teacher and it was over your head, what would it be like for us "average" cruisers? That doesn't sound like much fun. I do think the Stargazing things sounds interesting, I would definitely check that out.

 

 

With all due respect to cr8tiv1, I think there's a distinct difference between being a middle school science teacher, which encompasses so much information, and being a specialist - or at least very knowledgable - in one particular, narrowed field of science.

 

I've only ever been an amateur astronomer, but have studied astronomy as a past-time for decades; went through more reflector telescopes that I can remember, bought a really nice 10" Dobsonian telescope (at that time it cost almost $1000), spent many a winters night searching the skies with tripod mounted binoculars, had books full of charts, and even today, several apps on my phone and iPad.

 

I love the details, and I love explaining what I know, and see, to those who are just "average", as you put it. But, and as delicately as I can put it, you can't "dumb down" astronomy without losing some of the wonderous aspects of it. Otherwise you're pointing at dots in the sky and using terms that are meaningless to those listening. There's a lot to know before going outside and looking up, otherwise you really have no clue as to what you're looking at. I would hope that a lecture and stargazing series sponsored by the Discovery Channel would educate, not oversimplify for the sake of making it "fun".

 

;)

[NaplesKnitter]

I just got off the Caribbean Princess ship and one night around 9:45 we had a Discovery Stargazing lecture outside up near the Sanctuary. We had a huge crowd of passengers attend- They shut off all the lights in that area and the whole sky opened up to me with stars and moon! The guide had a laser flashlight of some sort and she would point to various star formations and give a brief talk about it. It was half hour or so. I just loved it! I learned so much !

[Tedferg]

Interesting - how did the laser flashlight work ? I thought you had to shine it 'on' something, not just point it skywards.

[cr8tiv1]

With all due respect to cr8tiv1, I think there's a distinct difference between being a middle school science teacher, which encompasses so much information, and being a specialist - or at least very knowledgable - in one particular, narrowed field of science.

 

I've only ever been an amateur astronomer, but have studied astronomy as a past-time for decades; went through more reflector telescopes that I can remember, bought a really nice 10" Dobsonian telescope (at that time it cost almost $1000), spent many a winters night searching the skies with tripod mounted binoculars, had books full of charts, and even today, several apps on my phone and iPad.

 

I love the details, and I love explaining what I know, and see, to those who are just "average", as you put it. But, and as delicately as I can put it, you can't "dumb down" astronomy without losing some of the wonderous aspects of it. Otherwise you're pointing at dots in the sky and using terms that are meaningless to those listening. There's a lot to know before going outside and looking up, otherwise you really have no clue as to what you're looking at. I would hope that a lecture and stargazing series sponsored by the Discovery Channel would educate, not oversimplify for the sake of making it "fun".

 

;)

 

I absolutely agree with you. Much of the content was familiar to me (I just wasn't as interested as some). But did think about the others who were in the audience. Everyday there were fewer and fewer attending. It may have been the lecturer. He had beautiful slides but his presentation lacked the interactiveness like the other lecturer onboard. I did not feel engaged ("required" by my school district).

 

I am sure you would have done a much better job of presenting if you had been our presenter. It sounds like you have the teacher gene. (I am being sincere when I say this.)

[dmwnc1959]

I absolutely agree with you. Much of the content was familiar to me (I just wasn't as interested as some). But did think about the others who were in the audience. Everyday there were fewer and fewer attending. It may have been the lecturer. He had beautiful slides but his presentation lacked the interactiveness like the other lecturer onboard. I did not feel engaged ("required" by my school district).

 

I am sure you would have done a much better job of presenting if you had been our presenter. It sounds like you have the teacher gene. (I am being sincere when I say this.)

 

 

I've always enjoyed helping others; the first ever profession that I wanted to "grow up to be" when asked as a child was that of a nurse. But instead I joined the military, and after serving twelve years became a travel agent. Now I am a caretaker and health care provider for the adult mentally challenged.

 

The fact that I truly love the details came out when I did the first 'Everything' thread. I love explaining things, and get an enormous degree of satisfaction when I see that 'click' in someone's eyes when they 'get it'.

 

I would love to teach, albeit in an environment where I am not competing with cell phones and Facebook/Twitter updates. As with any subject where the terminology and concepts may be difficult to grasp - astronomy, for instance - you have to make it interesting, or you'll lose your target audience. Like you said, they have to feel engaged, challenged.

 

The Discovery at Sea 'Stargazing Program' is a wonderful example: teach, educate, and enlighten. But not at the expense of making it too simple that those really interested in learning something feel like they are being condescended to.

 

:D

[BigJH]

I hope we get a chance on CB in May, albeit it will be quite late in the evening by the time it's dark enough. As my children are getting more interested I might get them a starter telescope that I can take with us - any suggestions for some thing they can start with but will also last for a year or so until I need to upgrade?

 

Cheers

[dmwnc1959]

Hi Jason,

 

For starters don't buy "cheap" (that $79 telescope at Walmart, etc) Your BEST options are going to be found online, through reputable dealerships. Read this...

 

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-equipment/types-of-telescopes/

 

...and determine which type best suits your needs; the 10" Dobsonian by SkyQuest is a GREAT telescope. Much easier than anything I've ever used on a tripod.

 

More research topics here:

 

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-equipment/choosing-astronomy-equipment/telescopes/

 

Orion is a very reputable company, and I've used them before. Here are links to the 8" and 10" Dobsonians...

 

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT8-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/13/p/102005.uts

 

 

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT10-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/13/p/102006.uts

 

 

 

Good luck!

 

:D

Edited March 9, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[cibaygirls]

Any idea if this is currently being offered on the Royal? I will be cruising on her mid April and would love to try this out.

[Ofmyheart]

Anyone know whether stargazing is offered on the island as she crosses the Atlantic?

[Gibby]

I just got off the Caribbean Princess ship and one night around 9:45 we had a Discovery Stargazing lecture outside up near the Sanctuary. We had a huge crowd of passengers attend- They shut off all the lights in that area and the whole sky opened up to me with stars and moon! The guide had a laser flashlight of some sort and she would point to various star formations and give a brief talk about it. It was half hour or so. I just loved it! I learned so much !

 

It's not a flashlight, but a green laser pointer.

 

When used in this context, and really, it is the only context these laser pointers are any good for, you see a green laser beam that goes off to infinity (well not quite, but for our purposes...) due to the dust, moisture, what ever in the air. Then from any angle people standing around you can see what you are pointing at in the night sky.

 

We use them all the time at our star parties. I brought one along (with permission from Princess) on our LA/Hawaii/Tahiti run a couple years ago, which we used for our own cruise critic star nights in the deep south before the Discovery @ Sea.

[dmwnc1959]

Not sure how long this app will remain free:

 

SkySafari 4 by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

 

https://appsto.re/us/mnOTT.i

 

:D

[JustinPlusLauren]

It's not a flashlight, but a green laser pointer.

 

When used in this context, and really, it is the only context these laser pointers are any good for, you see a green laser beam that goes off to infinity (well not quite, but for our purposes...) due to the dust, moisture, what ever in the air. Then from any angle people standing around you can see what you are pointing at in the night sky.

 

We use them all the time at our star parties. I brought one along (with permission from Princess) on our LA/Hawaii/Tahiti run a couple years ago, which we used for our own cruise critic star nights in the deep south before the Discovery @ Sea.

 

We were just on board the Caribbean Princess and it was more like a high-powered beam of light than a green laser pointer.

 

The stargazing session was awesome. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend that you check it out! Even though it was partially cloudy when we did ours, the clouds eventually cleared out and we had a clear view of the stars. It was educational and a lot of fun to gaze above without any city light pollution :)

[BroncoLvrs]

Any idea if this is currently being offered on the Royal? I will be cruising on her mid April and would love to try this out.

 

We cruised last month on the Royal and it was offered. My DH and I enjoyed the Program and would do it again.

Edited March 25, 2015 by BroncoLvrs

[zahav1]

We were on the Caribbean Princess, they advertised Stargazing at 10 pm on deck 16. We went up around 9:55 to deck 16 and couldn't find any stargazing program, only the Tradwind Bar, asked around and no one near or at the bar knew where to go. We walked around back and forth on 16 for over 10 minutes. Then I decided to go up the stairs to deck 17 and here they were near the Sanctuary. When we got there they were finishing up, it was 10:15. One of the entertainment young lady was doing this and said she's not allowed to turn off the light for more than 15 minutes, also she said she's had very little training, she is not an astronomer or anything close to it, just part of the entertaining crew. So, we missed most of it and were pretty angry since no one was on deck 16 close to 10 pm to tell people where to go. :(

[grandmacruise]

I just got off the Caribbean Princess ship and one night around 9:45 we had a Discovery Stargazing lecture outside up near the Sanctuary. We had a huge crowd of passengers attend- They shut off all the lights in that area and the whole sky opened up to me with stars and moon! The guide had a laser flashlight of some sort and she would point to various star formations and give a brief talk about it. It was half hour or so. I just loved it! I learned so much !

 

I attended a similar stargazing recently on the Ocean Princess in the South Pacific. The ship's navigator gave the talk to over 50 interested passengers. It was amazing how how the laser seem to reach right up to the stars. There sky was filled with so many stars. I saw the southern cross! It loved it too.

[Woobstr112G]

With all due respect to cr8tiv1, I think there's a distinct difference between being a middle school science teacher, which encompasses so much information, and being a specialist - or at least very knowledgable - in one particular, narrowed field of science.

 

I've only ever been an amateur astronomer, but have studied astronomy as a past-time for decades; went through more reflector telescopes that I can remember, bought a really nice 10" Dobsonian telescope (at that time it cost almost $1000), spent many a winters night searching the skies with tripod mounted binoculars, had books full of charts, and even today, several apps on my phone and iPad.

 

I love the details, and I love explaining what I know, and see, to those who are just "average", as you put it. But, and as delicately as I can put it, you can't "dumb down" astronomy without losing some of the wonderous aspects of it. Otherwise you're pointing at dots in the sky and using terms that are meaningless to those listening. There's a lot to know before going outside and looking up, otherwise you really have no clue as to what you're looking at. I would hope that a lecture and stargazing series sponsored by the Discovery Channel would educate, not oversimplify for the sake of making it "fun".

 

;)

 

Well said sir.....:):):)

 

Bob

[caribill]

One of the entertainment young lady was doing this and .....said she's had very little training, she is not an astronomer or anything close to it, just part of the entertaining crew.

 

I attended a similar stargazing recently on the Ocean Princess in the South Pacific. The ship's navigator gave the talk to over 50 interested passengers. It was amazing how how the laser seem to reach right up to the stars.

 

Amazing how much better the experience can be when a knowledgeable person is doing the presentation.