The Observers Notebook - Cruising in to the Moons Shadow

Episode 244
Welcome everyone to another episode of the Observers Notebook Podcast.
This episode is going to be a little different. Rather than talking about how to observe an astronomical object or interviewing someone about their work, I want to take you along on a very personal astronomy adventure—my week aboard Windstar’s Star Pride during the August 2026 total solar eclipse in Iceland.
I’ve been fortunate enough to sail with Windstar many times—this was cruise number 27—but this cruise was completely different. For the first time, I wasn’t onboard simply as a passenger. I was there as a guest speaker and the ship’s eclipse expert, giving presentations, answering questions, working with the Captain and bridge crew, and helping prepare the passengers for what we hoped would be an incredible total solar eclipse at sea.
And then, about an hour before the eclipse, Iceland reminded us who was really in charge.
The fog rolled in.
We didn't get the picture-perfect view of totality we had dreamed about. But what happened aboard the Star Pride when the Moon’s shadow reached us turned out to be something I will never forget. The sky dramatically darkened, the temperature plunged, and hundreds of passengers and crew members cheered together as we entered the shadow of the Moon.
In this episode, I want to share what happened behind the scenes—the preparations, my conversations with the Captain, what it was like giving presentations aboard the ship, the eclipse itself, and some of the wonderful people we met along the way.
I'll also be joined for a short conversation by fellow guest speaker Orly Orlyson, an Icelandic filmmaker, historian, and storyteller, who will tell us about his museum in Húsavík and the remarkable connection between this little Icelandic town, the movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and the Academy Awards.
So pour yourself a cup of coffee—or, in true Windstar fashion, maybe a glass of wine—and come aboard the Star Pride with me as we head into the shadow of the Moon.
Let’s get started.
You can contact Windstar Cruises at:
https://www.windstarcruises.com/
2027 Windstar Eclipse Cruise
https://www.windstarcruises.com/tour-details/PIRPIR9D/greek/piraeus-to-piraeus/9-day-total-solar-eclipse-from-greece-and-malta/?pkgid=1045979
My video from the cruise
https://youtu.be/Rus7ySr8Wqo?si=pR9UFiqc5O3Umjjf
Orly Orlyson
orly@husavik.com
Husavik Song
https://youtu.be/UamELF1MyN0?si=fry6iGFsLGv4EGGJ
For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:
www.alpo-astronomy.org/
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