Exploring Strange New Worlds: From Giant Planets to Super Earths
High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff, AZ
May 1-6, 2011
Conference Excursions
Wednesday afternoon, May 4, 2011
Take a mid-week break from the conference and join one of the two tours being offered on Wednesday afternoon. Tickets for these trips can be purchased through the registration site and must be purchased by March 15, 2011.
If you wish to purchase banquet tickets and have already registered, you can still do so through the registration page. Please contact us at StrangeNewWorlds@ipac.caltech.edu for a registration fee waiver code.
Cancellation Policy for Wednesday afternoon trips: Cancellations must be received in writing or via email by April 1, 2011 for a full refund less a $10 processing charge. Cancellations received April 2, 2011 through April 15, 2011 receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made after April 16, 2011, or persons who do not attend are not eligible for any refund.
Meteor Crater Tour - we are no longer offering tickets for this tour
Meteor Crater, a 45-minute drive from Flagstaff, is perhaps the best preserved impact crater in the world. Two guided tours are offered.
Cost per person: $25 includes round trip transportation from HCCC and box lunch. Tickets must be purchased by March 15, 2011.
Approximate Itinerary:
- 12:30 pm - conference adjourns; pick-up box lunch at HCCC
- 1:00 pm - bus leaves HCCC
- 2:00 pm - arrive at Meteor Crater
- 2:15 pm - gather for tours
- Group A: Will take the standard tour of the crater on paved paths with stops at the visitor center. There is plenty to see at the top including the visitor center and beautiful views of the crater and a hike around a portion of the rim. Please see the meteor crater website for additional information:
- Group B: Will hike to the bottom of the crater and back. This is a moderately strenuous 2.5 hour hike and only people in very good physical shape and wearing appropriate hiking gear should join this group. The number in Group B is limited to 40 people.
- April 22 update: As of today we are no longer offering tickets for this tour.
- March 15 update: As of today there is very limited space available for the trip to Meteor Crater and the hike to the bottom is at capacity. We will continue to take reservations in order of paid registrants for this trip until we are full.
- March 8 update: purchasing a ticket for this trip after this date does not guarantee you a spot on the hike to the bottom of the crater, however you will be able to enjoy the rim hikes, the visitor center, and other great things at the crater rim. We do have a waiting list for the hike to the bottom of the crater.
- 5:30 pm - Bus leaves Meteor Crater for return trip to HCCC.
- 6:15 pm - Arrive back at HCCC.
Telescope Tour - we are no longer offering tickets for this tour
April 7 update: the vehicles available for this trip are now full. You may still purchase tickets for this tour but will be expected to drive your own vehicle.
Anderson Mesa, about 20 minutes southeast of Flagstaff, has been the site of Lowell Observatory's Anderson Mesa Station since 1959. There we will have a guided tour of Lowell's 72" and 42" telescopes and the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI). We'll then drive to Happy Jack to see the 4.3 meter Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). Anderson Mesa is located at an elevation of 7200 feet (2200 meters) and the DCT is at 7800 feet (2400 meters). Drink water and pace yourself if you are not accustomed to our thin air.
April 22 update: As of today we are no longer offering tickets for this tour.
Cost per person: $25 includes round trip transportation from HCCC and box lunch. Tickets must be purchased by March 15, 2011.
Approximate Itinerary:
- 12:30 pm - conference adjourns; pick-up box lunch at HCCC
- 1:00 pm - vehicles leave HCCC
- 1:25 pm - arrive at Anderson Mesa; split into groups to tour telescopes and NPOI
- 3:00 pm - depart Anderson Mesa for Happy Jack
- 3:30 pm - arrive at Happy Jack; split into groups to tour DCT
- 4:30 pm - depart Happy Jack for return to HCCC
- 5:20 pm - arrive back at HCCC in Flagstaff
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Grand Canyon Day Tour
April 6 update: there is one space left on the first vehicle for the Grand Canyon day trip and the tour company is taking names for a possible second vehicle (5-12 people needed). If you are interested in joining this special tour, please contact the tour company directly. Reservations will be taken through Monday afternoon, May 2.
On your trip to northern Arizona, don't miss the chance to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world! All-Star Grand Canyon Tours is offering a day trip on the Saturday following the conference. They have planned a customized itinerary for our group (at a great price!) that will give you a wonderful day in the park and will end at sunset in the Wupatki National Monument north of Flagstaff for an amazing view (weather permitting) of the northern Arizona night sky.
Approximate Itinerary - click here for a more complete description:
- 10:30 am - bus leaves Drury Inn (adjacent to HCCC) for scenic drive to the Grand Canyon
- 12:30 pm - box lunch overlooking the canyon
- 4:30 pm - leave the park for historic trading post on Navajo reservation
- 5:15 pm - arrive at trading post for dinner (self purchase) and an opportunity to purchase local art/souvenirs
- 6:30 pm - depart for Wupatki sunset
- 8:30 pm - arrive back at Drury Inn, Flagstaff
Cost per person: $110 includes round trip transportation from HCCC, experienced professional guides on each bus, entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park and Wupatki National Monument, and a gourmet box lunch. Note that dinner will be on your own at a trading post just outside the park.
Cancellation Policy/Important Information for Grand Canyon Day Trip: A minimum of 30 people is needed for this tour. Tickets must be purchased directly from All-Star Grand Canyon Tours by March 15, 2011. Call toll free within North America (800-940-0445) or International (928-814-8887) to pay by major credit card. Cancellations prior to April 7, 2011 will receive a full refund less a $10 processing fee. No refunds will be issued after April 7, 2011.
Questions? StrangeNewWorlds@ipac.caltech.edu