Cultural Expeditions
by Atlas™

John Maclean FRAS FRGS is an astrophysicist, astronomer, researcher, BBC astronomy correspondent and experienced cruise-ship lecturer with a passion for bringing the wonders of the universe to life. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Geographical Society, John was part of the team awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s 2022 Group Achievement Award in Geophysics. His interests include the Northern Lights, meteors and meteorites, eclipses, astrophotography and cultural astronomy. At sea, John combines science, exploration, storytelling and spectacular imagery with an entertaining and accessible style, inspiring guests to step outside, look up and discover the remarkable universe above them.

Anne Steele is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter from New York City and a dynamic performer who has sold out concerts and dazzled audiences for over 20 years. She has toured internationally and shared the stage with musical legends like Cyndi Lauper, Sandra Bernhard, Boy George, Liza Minnelli and many more.

British-born and based in New York, William TN Hall is an award-winning composer and musical director. His musicals include Methtacular! (Off-Broadway, Time Out New York Critic’s Pick) and Songs for a More Funnier World(NYMF Award Winner). He co-wrote and arranged BUSTED: The Musical for Bianca Leigh and has composed commissioned work for Tony winner Nikki M. James. A three-time MAC Award and BroadwayWorld Award winner, and a proud alumnus of the BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, William tours worldwide with singer Anne Steele.

Michael’s interest in geology began with mineral-collecting trips to Norway and soon became the focus of his degree at Cambridge University. In 1974, he set off to Canada for a PhD at McGill University and has worked there ever since, except for research sabbaticals in New Zealand, France, Belgium, and Chile. He has studied active volcanoes in Chile, Montserrat, Hawaii, California, New Zealand, Iceland, British Columbia, and Greece. He has also examined older rocks in Canada, the UK, Jamaica, Burundi, and India, as well as the oldest rocks around: meteorites. His first book, ‘A Geological Companion to Greece and the Aegean,’ was co-written with the archaeologist Reynold Higgins and explored the connections between geology and archaeology. His latest book, ‘The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Science, Engineering, and Technology,’ investigates the relationships between culture and science through these iconic landmarks.

Jonathan Ward is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador. He is the author of four award-winning space history books. His most recent book was co-written with astronaut Eileen Collins, the first American woman to pilot and command a space mission. It is the basis for the new documentary, “Spacewoman,” which is available on major streaming services. Jonathan has delivered more than 500 lectures and educational sessions aboard cruise ships in the past five years, has spoken at national astronomy conferences in the US, and is a frequent guest on podcasts for the American Space Museum and the National Space Society. Jonathan has also appeared as a singer on two GRAMMY-winning albums with The Washington Chorus and the National Symphony Orchestra. Asteroid 47785 Jonathan Ward is named in his honor.