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2014 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop on Imaging Planets and Disks

Local Information

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Workshop Site(s)

The workshop will be held in the Beckman Institute Auditorium (not to be confused with the Beckman Auditorium) on the Caltech Campus. The Auditorium can get cold at times, so it is advised that you bring a light sweater or jacket. Food and drink (other than water) are not allowed in the auditorium.

Internet Access

We are happy to provide wireless internet access so you can follow along with the presentations. Please note that you will need computer access to take part in the hands-on sessions.

Visitors have immediate access to wireless internet at Beckman Institute Auditorium by connecting to “Caltech guest” using the Airport utility or your network connections. In order to use the Caltech Guest wireless account, open a web browser and type in any URL to access the Caltech Guest wireless network welcome page. Click the continue button to accept the guidelines; you will then be redirected to the intended destination.

The Caltech Guest wireless network is restricted to web, Secure Shell and VPN protocols only. Other uses are not allowed. Guests are expected to use their home institution's VPN to access email or other resources not available via a web browser.

Workshop Hotels and Other Accommodation Options

Workshop Hotels

A room block at the FY2014 standard government rate ($133) has been reserved at the Pasadena Sheraton. This rate includes high speed internet access. If you are awarded financial aid for lodging, you will not be reimbursed for separate internet charges so please inquire at the hotel desk for information on accessing the complimentary internet.

Click here to make on-line reservations at the Pasadena Sheraton by the deadline: July 4, 2014.

Pasadena Area Hotels

If you prefer other accommodations in the Pasadena area, there are a number of hotels and motels close to the Caltech campus. Please note that if you are a speaker and we are reimbursing your hotel fees, the maximum base lodging rate you are allowed is $133/day.

Getting Around

To and from the airport

One of the best and least expensive ways to get from LAX to Pasadena is to take the FlyAway bus to Union Station, then take the Metro Gold Line to Del Mar station in Pasadena. The FlyAway is an air-conditioned coach with bathroom facilities that departs from LAX every 30 mins, and takes around 30-45 mins to reach Union Station, depending on traffic. Once there, walk down the stairs towards the station and look for the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena. The Del Mar station is 0.5 miles from the Pasadena Sheraton (see map).

Information on how to pay for the FlyAway ($8 each way, payable by credit card only on arrival at Union Station) and how to take the Metro ($1.50 each way, payable before you ride) can be found on the FlyAway and Metro websites.

You can also take a shared van ride or shuttle service which are available on a walk-up or reservation basis and usually cost between $25-$45. The vans are available outside of LAX baggage claim under the orange "shared ride van" sign.

To and from the workshop

July 7 update: Since we no longer have the registration fee funds to support daily transportation to and from the workshop, we have had to cancel shuttle bus service between the Pasadena Sheraton and Westin hotels and campus each morning and evening.

However, we have arranged with Caltech transportation to provide very limited van service between the hotels and campus. Click here for the van service schedule. However each van can only hold 7 passengers and will only be making 2 runs each morning and 2 runs each evening.

Two other options for getting to campus are walking or taking the Pasadena ARTS bus. The distance between the hotels and the Caltech campus is about 1.4 mile, a pleasant 20 minute walk.

The Pasadena ARTS Bus #10 is also an easy way to get from the area hotels to campus. The bus runs Monday-Friday from 6 am to 8 pm. This bus stops at Colorado and Los Robles near the hotels and at Wilson and Del Mar near campus. The fare is 75 cents each way. Click here Pasadena ARTS Bus #10for the route map and schedule.



Parking at Caltech

In order to park on the Caltech campus, you must purchase a visitor parking permit at an automated pay station (see map) and abide by Caltech parking regulations. Visitor permits may be purchased at the rate of $6 per day, or $18 per week. A daily permit is valid through the end of the business day (5:00 pm) on which the permit is purchased. Visitors are required to display a permit if their vehicle is parked on campus between 7am-5pm, Mon-Fri. and can only park in commuter zones (parking spots that are not specifically marked for Students, Carpools, Reserved, or Handicapped parking). A map of Caltech parking lots and the locations of automated pay stations is available here.

Useful Maps



Workshop Events

Sunday Evening Reception & Registration

July 3 update: the opening reception will still take place, however since we no longer have the registration fee monies to support this event, we will be asking for monetary donations for those who attend and partake of the food and refreshments.

There will be a reception in the courtyard area outside the Beckman Institute Auditorium on Sunday, July 20 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Registration materials will be available for pick-up. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served along with non-alcoholic drinks. So that we may order the appropriate amount of food, we ask that you RSVP for this event when you register, or let us know by email (sagan_workshop@ipac.caltech.edu) if your plans change after you've registered.

Wednesday Afternoon Tour - California Science Center

On Wednesday afternoon we will travel by bus to the California Science Center, the home of NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour.

July 3 update: All those who elect to attend the tour must pay for a ticket for themselves and for any guests. Guests are welcome on a space-available basis, and guest tickets can be purchased on the registration website for $30 (to cover the cost of the admission, lunch, and bus transportation).

The schedule for the visit to the California Science Center is roughly as follows:

Thursday Evening Banquet - El Cholo restaurant

On Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, we'll gather at El Cholo restaurant (260 E. Colorado Blvd., #203) in the Paseo Colorado shopping center. Diners will enjoy a buffet including taquitos, enchiladas, and fajitas, with vegetarian options available. Dinner includes non-alcoholic drinks and a cash bar will be available. We will not be providing transportation for this event, however El Cholo is less than ¼ mile from the workshop hotel. If you drive your own car, there is underground parking at Paseo Colorado with parking validation available at the restaurant.

July 3 update: All those who elect to attend the tour must pay for a ticket for themselves and for any guests. Guest tickets are available for $35 and may be purchased through the registration website.

Food

Food on or near the Caltech Campus

Reminder: there is no food allowed in the Beckman Institute Auditorium.

Food on or near the Pasadena Sheraton

Pasadena Weather

The weather in Pasadena in late July is typically hot. Click here for the current forecast.


Questions? Sagan_Workshop@ipac.caltech.edu

2014 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop main page

last updated Feb. 3, 2014

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