In a peaceful anchorage, waiting for the sun to set
The loungers have been taken to the upper deck, the clear night sky is proving to be an attraction to those on board. It is not what you think; JC is going to give a lecture on the stars.
The upper most deck of Queen of Galapagos makes the perfect place from where to view heavenly bodies especially on such a balmy night. There is of course no air pollution in the Galapagos and very little in the way of light pollution save for the deck lights of the yachts anchored nearby.
JC, complete with his laser pointer, starts pointing into the sky outlining Orion, his club and the belt pointing to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. He explains the Greek mythology and tells the stories that man has built around the constellations. He points out the two famous stars in that constellation: the first and brightest is Rigel at his foot; the other is Betelgeuse on his opposite shoulder distinctive because of the yellowish red colour, the sign of a dying star.
The Southern Cross and what is called the false cross because it is often confused with the real thing, are both visible as are the heavenly twins, Castor and Pollux. In the north the most familiar constellation is Ursa Major often called the Big Dipper or the Plough, which provides a useful pointer to Polaris or the Pole Star. But at this latitude it lies unseen by us on the horizon.
It is a well-presented lesson and we turn in that night replete with good food company and a feeling of having achieved a great deal in what was a perfect day.
Queen of Galapagos is available for charter through Robert Shepherd at Edmiston