Mission to Aurora Australis Pre Flight Programme

From Christchurch to Christchurch
  • Canterbury & Upper South Island
  • Small Group Tours
  • Wildlife and Nature
  • Southern Lights
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Tour Description

INCLUDED FOR ONLY THOSE BOOKED ONTO OUR SOUTHERN LIGHTS BY FLIGHT!

Mission to Aurora Australis Pre Flight Programme - hosted by the International Antarctic Centre

Join us for this one-of-a-kind pre-flight programme hosted by the international Antarctic Centre.  You will learn from a NASA trained aerospace educator about astronomy and in particular the Aurora Australis.  Learn how the Southern Lights are formed and how this relates to astronomy in Antarctica followed by a guided tour of the Antarctic Centre.     Enjoy refreshments while you chat with Aerospace educators and astronomers and receive your Mission patch and Mission photograph before taking to the air on your Flight to the Southern Lights!

 Session 1: 1pm - 3pm on the day of Southern Lights by flight *

Session 2: 3pm – 5pm on the day of Southern Lights by flight.

 All photo credits: International Antarctic Centre

 

 

Viva's Best Bits...

"This is a unique opportunity to experience an exclusive pre flight programme at the International Antarctic Centre" Rachel, Team Viva

Participate in a 40 minute “Astronomy over Antarctica tour”. Learn how aircraft navigate over Antarctica and experience a C17 flight simulation

Spend time networking with Astronomers and Aerospace experts while enjoying refreshments.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Christchurch Christchurch

This is an opportunity to learn more about the night skies before taking off on the Southern Lights by Flight. If you book onto our Southern light by flight this tour is
included on the day of your flight.

Aerospace is fundamental for science on the ice, so join us for a 20 minute presentation about Astronomy in Antarctica, including Aurora Australis. You will learn from a NASA trained STEM aerospace educator about Astronomy on the ice and receive details of what to look for on the Aurora flight to occur.

Following the presentation, you will participate in a 40 minute “Astronomy over Antarctica tour” of the International Antarctic Centre. Learn how NASA Balloons collect data for astronomy and astrophysics above Antarctica, and how the Aurora Australis’s colours are formed in the Science Alive Exhibit Area.

See real time images of Amundsen - Scott Pole Station telescope at the StormDome and experience the cold of Antarctica in the Antarctic StormDome, that makes such accurate astronomy possible.

Learn how aircraft navigate over Antarctica and experience a C17 flight simulation. Look at the orrery in the Antarctic Gallery to understand the relationship between Antarctica
and the Southern Skies.

Finally gather for refreshments and to talk to the Aerospace Educators before you depart for your flight. Refreshments include Beer, Wine, Soft Drink, Tea & Coffee (2 drinks per person), plus some light snacks.

You will receive your Mission to the Aurora Australis Patch, and Mission to the Aurora Australis photograph from the International Antarctic Centre before taking to the air on your Aurora flight.

At the end of this function you can either walk (5-10 minutes) or take the Penguin Bus across to the airport in time to check in for your flight...

What’s Included

Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 Entry into the International Antarctic Centre
  • Included Copy 20 Presentation & guided tour by NASA trained Aerospace educator
  • Included Copy 20 Refreshments & networking
  • Included Copy 20 Mission to the Aurora Australis patch
  • Included Copy 20 Mission to the Aurora Australis photograph

Activities

  • Included Add on to our Southern Lights by Flight - the perfect combination!
  • Included Discover how Auroras are formed
  • Included Meet an educator who has been on 2 NASA Sofia Astronomy Missions over Antarctica
  • Included Astronomy over Antarctica tour
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Duration

1 days

Price from

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including GST

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