Meet your Astronomy Voyage lecturers
Get to know the expert astronomers who'll be sharing their insight and knowledge about the Arctic sky on your unique Astronomy Voyage.
On our 12-day Astronomy Voyage, you'll sail from Bergen to Kirkenes and back under the dancing skies of the Northern Lights, visiting 34 ports, more than 100 fjords, and 1,000 mountains.
Each sailing is accompanied up by one of our expert astronomers, who will illuminate the wonders of the night sky through a series of fascinating lectures. Whether discussing the latest space technology or age-old aurora myths and legends, they will bring our galaxy’s stars, planets, and meteors within reach.
Keep reading to learn more about our expert astronomers and get a preview of what lectures you can expect during your Astronomy Voyage.
Note: the lectures listed below are provisional and subject to change.
Tom Kerss
The world's first Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss F.R.A.S. is an astronomer, astrophotographer, author and consultant. Having previously worked at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, he is the founder of Stargazing✦London, which delivers world-class online astronomy courses.
Tom has authored numerous best-selling astronomy books for adults and children, including Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide to Auroras, which offers a complete introduction to nature's most magical sky-illuminating phenomenon.
Onboard lectures
Introduction to the Northern Lights
Discover the history and mythology of the world’s most beautiful skybound phenomenon in this talk covering the extensive research in Tom’s bestselling book, Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide to Auroras.
Polar Skies – Stargazing in the Far North
Explore the constellations that rule the northern winter skies and accompany us on our voyage from the brilliant and colourful stars, to the faint and mysterious treasures hiding among them.
Auroras in Fiction – The Northern Lights in Popular Culture
Take a light-hearted look at how auroras have appeared in TV, films, and even video games. We’ll see both dreamlike representations and realistic portrayals from the world of the arts.
Diamonds Everywhere
Explore a selection of the 101 extraordinary astronomical discoveries and questions in Tom’s latest book Diamonds Everywhere, from familiar worlds across the Solar System to the farthest reaches of the observable universe.
The Big, Bold Future of Astronomy
From the James Webb Space Telescope to super-observatories in the Atacama Desert, find out how a new generation of technology will unlock the mysteries of the Universe in the next few decades.
Auroral Horizons – How Aurora-Science Goes Beyond the Earth
The Northern Lights is a beautiful phenomenon to enjoy in the sky, but it’s also a conduit to understanding what’s happening on other worlds. Explore the surprising discoveries of aurora science across the Galaxy.
For me, seeing the Northern Lights is like going to see a unicorn. If you knew it was there, you would want to go and see it. You'd be compelled to because it's like real magic happening in front of your eyes. Photos and video don't do justice to it.
Dr John Mason, MBE
An applied physicist by profession, Dr John Mason has been sharing his knowledge and passion for the Northern Lights and the Arctic night sky with Hurtigruten passengers on coastal voyages every autumn/winter season since 2008.
He is internationally acknowledged as an entertaining and enthusiastic lecturer with a gift for explaining complex subjects in an easy-to-follow way. He is currently Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, UK.
Onboard lectures
Exploring the Arctic Night Sky
A look at some of the things we can see in the Arctic sky on clear nights.
In Search of the Northern Lights
An introduction to the aurora borealis and some of its mysteries.
All Aboard! A tour of the Planets
A whistle-stop tour of our Solar System, from Mercury to Pluto.
Observing and Imaging the Northern Lights
How to get the best from our aurora-watching sessions out on deck.
First Results from the James Webb Space Telescope
Learn more about the latest developments, discoveries, and puzzles from the largest and most sophisticated telescope in space.
Chasing the Moon’s Shadow – The Magic of Total Solar Eclipses
Following on from the Great American Eclipse in 2024, we take a first-hand look at one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Our Violent Sun and Space Weather
We take a closer look at the changing activity of our Sun and how it causes and affects auroral displays.
Return to the Moon
John gives a fascinating introduction to Artemis, the exciting new programme that aims to land astronauts on the Moon again within the next five years.
Travelling with Hurtigruten is a complete experience. They call it ‘The World's Most Beautiful Voyage’ and, having done it so many times, I can tell you, you never tire of it. It's like the Northern Lights itself. No two displays of Northern Lights are ever the same; no two trips on Hurtigruten are ever the same.
Dr Sadie Jones
Dr Sadie Jones is the Astronomy Public Engagement Leader at the University of Southampton. In January 2020, she assisted members of the Space Environment Physics group on an expedition to Svalbard to observe the aurora and collect research data.
She also runs talks and school workshops on aurora research to promote ‘The Aurora Zoo’, a citizen science platform where the public analyse short videos of aurora displays.
Onboard lectures
Understanding the Aurora
We unravel the mysteries of the aurora and the physics involved in the world's greatest light show.
Searching for the Northern Lights
Sadie shares the story of her research expedition to Svalbard to take images of the Aurora for the AuroraZoo citizen project.
A Tour of the Night Sky
Learn more about the constellations, stars and planets visible from the ship.
Life in the Universe
Embark on a whistle-stop tour of the planets in our Solar System, and learn about the Exoplanets that could host life.
Black Hole Hunting
Sadie explains the science behind searching for black holes and how radio astronomy allowed us to capture the first direct image of a black hole.
Supernova Extravaganza
We take a dive into how measuring the light from exploding stars is unlocking the big questions of our Universe.
Modern Telescopes and Spin-out Technology
Learn more about new telescopes and the useful spin-out technology that has resulted from astronomy research.
When the aurora takes over the whole sky, you have this sense of putting your life into perspective within the scale of the universe. It can make you think: you're part of this, you're part of this whole universe.”
Dr Darren Baskill
Dr Darren Baskill has over 25 years’ experience of organising and delivering public science events. He is a lecturer and outreach officer for the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Sussex, and typically runs 100 outreach events each year for schools, colleges, and the public.
He previously worked at the Royal Observatory Greenwich science centre and planetarium in London, where he initiated the highly successful Astronomy Photographer of the Year public competition and exhibition. He was also a calibration scientist for the European XMM-Newton space telescope at the University of Leicester before that.
Onboard lectures
Tonight’s Night Sky
Astrophotography
The Aurora
Our Solar System
Our Galaxy
Our Universe
Modern Astronomy: Life as a Professional Astronomer & Tools of the Trade
Why We Are Here - A 13.8-Billion-Year Story in the Making
While it is increasingly difficult to escape the city lights to appreciate a dark night sky brimming with stars, there does remain one place where we can admire the night sky as nature intended – and that’s out at sea.
Secure your spot today
Book your 12-day Astronomy Voyage today and experience the wonders of the night sky for yourself.
Tom Kerss: 23 Jan 2025, 11 Feb 2025, 22 Feb 2025, 18 Oct 2025, 16 Nov 2025, and 13 Mar 2026
Dr John Mason: 27 Oct 2024, 21 Feb 2025, 19 Sep 2025, 14 Oct 2025, 10 Jan 2026, and 11 Mar 2026
Dr Sadie Jones: 25 Nov 2024 and 15 Nov 2025
Dr Darren Baskill: 23 Mar 2025
Please note that these dates are subject to availability.
Our Northern Lights Promise
According to Forbes, seeing the Northern Lights once again came top of bucket list trips in 2024. Perfect timing as we celebrate 10 years of our Northern Lights Promise.
Since 2014, we have promised our guests a free voyage if Norway’s Northern Lights don’t occur on our voyages of 11 days or more between autumn and spring.
This year, we even extended our promise, starting it from 20 September instead of October, and continuing it until the end of March.