Shooting stars in Turkey
Anyone who missed last week’s Perseid Meteor display due to Britain’s cloudy summer skies and city haze can take solace in Explorers’ newest astronomy tour, the enticingly named Rain of Shooting Stars in Turkey.
Designed to coincide with next year’s Draconid Meteor Shower - forecasted to be one of the finest for many years with a peak of hundreds of shooting stars per hour - the 8-day astronomy tour will avoid meteor misery by taking advantage of Cappadocia’s clear skies.
And, as the group will have acclaimed astronomer and expedition guide Dr John Mason MBE on hand to explain the phenomenon, the holiday is as suited to first-time star-gazers as regular followers of the celestial world’s performances.
Starting in vibrant Istanbul, the group will travel into the heart of Turkey to the fascinating region of Cappadocia. Famous for its fairy chimneys and spectacular geology, this area also provides the latitude, longitude* and stable conditions free of light pollution which make it an ideal location from which to take in the natural firework display.
To ensure travellers get maximum opportunity to explore the area’s unusual rock formations and troglodyte caves, the days will be spent walking through the region’s valleys, mountains, forests and underground cities.
The Rain of Shooting Stars tour runs 4 – 11 October 2011, with prices starting from £999 land only or £1,299 including flights from London. The price includes 7 nights accommodation, transport, most meals (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners) and is accompanied by professional astronomer Dr John Mason.
To find out more: explorerseclipse.co.uk
* An easterly longitude is required because the peak activity of meteors occurs during the early evening, local time. At this time it will still be twilight in Western Europe. Turkey’s latitude also means the constellation will be well placed above the northern horizon. Observation sites south of the Mediterranean would lose many meteors below the horizon as the radiant would be lower in the sky.
