2008: Total Solar Eclipse in Mongolia

Dartmouth College, Columbia University, MIT Travel, Harvard Museum of Natural History, University of Southern California, Vassar College

July 24 - August 03, 2008

This trip took place in July/August 2008.

Study Leader - Bettine Birge

Bettine Birge is Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, with joint appointments in the departments of History and East Asian Languages and Cultures. She holds degrees from Princeton and Cambridge Universities and received her Ph.D. from Columbia. She has received numerous awards for her research, including grants from ...more

Study Leader - Fred Chromey

Fred Chromey earned a B.S. in electronic physics from St. Joseph's University and a Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University. His research interests are the structure and history of galaxies. As Director of the Vassar College Observatory, Dr. Chromey oversaw the construction of the new Class of 1951 Observatory Building in 1998 as well as a new solar telescope in 2006. At the Observatory he collaborates with student researchers to study objects of variable brightness, more...

Summary

Mongolia brings to mind images of Genghis Khan, camels wandering the Gobi Desert, and wild horses galloping across the wide-open steppes. This summer, experience Mongolia in an unforgettable way when a Total Solar Eclipse arcs across Western Mongolia on August 1, 2008.

See the temples and monasteries of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Stay in a comfortable ger (yurt) camp in the Gobi Desert to explore the spectacular red rock mountains, narrow canyons and immense sand dunes. Fly to western Mongolia and our own private camp near the centerline of the Path of Totality. As we watch from this ideal position, the sky will slowly dim and all eyes, protected by special filters, will be riveted on the sun to take in the moment when the sun disappears behind the moon - totality - and night will fall for approximately 2:09 minutes.

An optional post-trip extension allows you to experience more of Mongolia with visits to Bayangobi, Karakorum, and Erdene Zuu, once one of the largest monasteries in Mongolia, dating to the 16th century.

Space on this thrilling journey is limited, so we encourage you to make your reservations now.