As you may know, a total solar eclipse will be visible on Nov. 23 along a narrow track across a remote part of Antarctica near two Russian research stations. I have been able to learn about only five opportunities to see this eclipse. One is a 31-day voyage aboard a Russian icebreaker; the fares start at $19,000 per person, TRIPLE occupancy. Two organizations are planning land expeditions: one is limited to about 70 people and costs $15,000 each; the other, for a smaller group, could cost $45,000 per person. Two groups have chartered airliners to fly through the eclipse zone round-trip from Australia or Chile; a window seat on one could cost more than $6,000, and on the other, smaller plane, sitting at a window could cost $20,000.
That’s it. No human being has ever seen a total eclipse from Antarctica, and only a couple hundred people are going to see this one.
Even if I could afford them (and I can’t), most of these trips are fully booked and even have waiting lists. Here’s my question: Recognizing that there are no Arthur Frommer budget excursions to the South Pole, does anyone know of any other, maybe smaller and therefore less widely advertised and consequently cheaper, chances to see this eclipse?
For more information, here’s the NASA eclipse website:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/TSE2003/TSE2003.html
QANTAS regularly flies soightseeing flights to Antarctica and back every southern summer. And wouldn’t you know it …
"Welcome to the ANTARCTICA SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS website. Here you will find all you need to know to help you decide to join an experience of a lifetime!
"The last flight for the 2002/03 season of Antarctica Sightseeing Flights was on 9 February.
“Dates for the 2003/04 season have already been released and begin with a flight from Melbourne on 24 November 2003. This flight will will coincide with the total SOLAR ECLIPSE over Antarctica.”
Source: http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/cgi-bin/start.asp
For the solar eclipse flight see http://www.antarcticaflights.com.au/cgi-bin/\Eclipse.asp
Normal Antarctic fares range from AUS$899 to AUS$4499.
It depends what your priorities are. The Qantas flights are just that - flights. You’ll be viewing the eclipse from the plane, in flight. And don’t forget, the plane will have to turn around so all passengers can get a look, so viewing time will be very limited. If you’re planning on getting some great photos of the eclipse, you’ll need to use a tripod, on terra firma. Even a ship has too much motion.
But if your photographic expectations are limited to whatever snapshots you might be able to get, then go for it.
Thanks for responding. Actually, the Quantas flight is chartered through Croydon and is one of the two that I was thinking of. I have exchanged messages with them. The eclipse flight will operate a little differently from the regular Antarctic tours. For one thing, your only assurance of seeing the eclipse will be to buy a window seat on the eclipse side of the plane. Prices are US$4000 to $6600 (US dollars, not Australian). (Also, they are not flying in a circle to give views to both sides. It is a straight line through the eclipse zone.) Ticket buyers are specifically told that the window seat purchaser controls all access to that window. In other words, if you buy a cheap seat and the guy next to you sets up cameras and video equipment, which is probable, or just wants to press his nose against the glass, you are out of luck. Also, the company plans to sell seats on the other side of the plane as regular Antarctic tour seats, and they plan to FENCE the two sides apart during the eclipse to protect the high-paying eclipse chasers from incursions by the cheaper-seat ice watchers. And the flight is sold out, window seats, aisles and all, and the waiting list is long.
Here is a link to the other, smaller, more expensive flight:
http://www.tq-international.com/AntarcticaFly/AntarcticaFlyPricing.htm
I was just hoping to find a secret bargain. No such luck, eh?