One galaxy
at a time.
Discover the wonder of the night sky with John Maclean FRAS FRGS — astronomer, cruise ship lecturer and Northern Lights guide.
Bringing the universe a little closer.
I’m John Maclean, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). I was a joint winner of the 2022 RAS Group Award for Geophysics, and I’m a BBC Astronomy Correspondent. Before my work in astronomy, I spent 25 years in the Royal Air Force.
From meteor research in Exeter to stargazing at sea, I share the stories and science that make astronomy unforgettable.
Explore my talks ↗Explore with Exeter Observatory.
Stories, images and practical ways to connect with the cosmos.
Northern Lights
Aurora photography, guiding and the science behind nature’s greatest light show.
Explore the aurora ↗Meteors & research
Follow the fireballs detected by Exeter Observatory and discover the UK Meteor Network.
See the research ↗Apps & observing tools
Plan a night under the stars or explore the sky at sea with AstroCruise and observing guides.
Open the tools ↗Voyages & stories
Lectures, shipboard stargazing, eclipses and adventures beneath distant skies.
Read the journal ↗“He is a gifted lecturer who has the innate ability to make the complexities of our universe understandable to all.”Jim Kennedy · Former Director, Kennedy Space Center
Wonder belongs to everyone.
From theatre lectures to stargazing on deck, John brings astronomy to life for cruise guests and curious audiences. Explore an engaging programme shaped by real research and years of guiding beneath the stars.
Explore astronomy talks ↗Stories from the cosmos.
Astronomy brought to life.
Watch John’s astronomy and astrophysics showreel, then browse images from Exeter Observatory and journeys beneath the stars.
Watch on YouTube ↗View the gallery ↗
