Starry, Starry Nights

Back in the earlier explorer days, the stars played a huge role in navigating the seven seas. Times have changed, and thankfully the crew on the MV Explorer's bridge has much more advanced technology. But the stars are still there.

If you enjoy star-gazing at home, just imagine the skies out on the open ocean where there's nothing else around to block your view. Once or twice a voyage, the ship's captain declares an official star-gazing night to fully appreciate the ship's celestial setting. The crew cuts the lights, students flood to Deck 7 port-side, and the show begins. The reflection of the moon wobbles on the rolling tides and hundreds of students find a space on the deck to stare skyward. There's no better option for a late-night study break on our floating world campus.

When I was younger, my dad used to take me to Young’s Park in Branford when the astronomy club from New Haven would meet with telescopes set up throughout the park to look at the stars and planets. The park was great because there were no lights to distract from the view. We actually met an author and purchased his book on how the city and shopping center lights affect the view for star gazing. So seeing the stars with no distraction of lights or trees was really incredible and meaningful to me.