Join the BBC Sky at Night team for a unique experience

A limited number of places have just been made available on an exclusive cruise to view the most dramatic total eclipse of the sun to take place this century. The trip has been organised by travel company, Eclipse of the Century, and will commence in Taipei on the 17th July 2009 for nine days (including the Eclipse Day 22nd July). The BBC’s ‘The Sky at Night’ team will be onboard filming the event live.

Demand is expected to be high for the trip due to its unique nature. The cruise element of the holiday will take place on board the Superstar Libra vessel and will include fascinating lectures from experts from ‘The Sky at Night’ programme such as BBC presenter Dr Chris Lintott. What’s more, one of Britain’s best loved authors, the fantasy and science fiction writer Terry Pratchett, will be on board. Prices start from just £1,395 per person*.

Travellers will be able to view this truly ‘once in a lifetime’ experience from the optimum position at sea, approximately 12 nautical miles off the coast of the Japanese island of Yakushima. At the point of greatest eclipse the totality will last for a massive 6.39 minutes – something that won’t happen again until 13 June 2132.

Nine days in total, including five nights at sea, the tour will include a port call to the tropical Japanese island of Okinawa as well as the opportunity to explore the capital of Taiwan, Taipei.

Dr. Lintott comments, “During a total solar eclipse every single second counts. If you sit at your computer and do nothing for a minute it may seem like quite a long time, but with so much to see under totality’s spell, minutes seem like seconds. A total eclipse is an emotional event; falling under the Moon’s shadow is an experience unlike any other, and I’m looking forward to having time to wallow a little next July.”

Because the eclipse will be viewed on board a ship, rather than on land, the totality will be 30 seconds longer than for those who are in Shanghai. As the ship offers easy mobility, coupled with the captain’s expert knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, passengers can be assured of the best possible chance of seeing totality from start to finish

The tour is priced from £1,395 per person (excluding international flights), based on two sharing a cabin/room and will begin in Taipei on 17 June 2009. It includes a day in this fascinating city, before boarding the ship at Keelung Port.

The Superstar Libra’s facilities include 2 swimming pools, a fitness centre, a golf driving range, a basketball court, a sun deck, Jacuzzis, three restaurants, numerous bars, a nightclub, a karaoke bar, games rooms, a medical centre, a casino and a beauty salon. The trip finishes back in Taipei on 25 July 2009.

To book you place on this experience visit eclipseofthecentury.com.