January 27 February 4, World-Class Observatories & Natural Wonders. With Jeremy Kasdin, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Transcription

1 January 27 February 4, 2013 World-Class Observatories & Natural Wonders With Jeremy Kasdin, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

2 Dear Princetonian, Star-gazers have long flocked to HawaII s volcanic mountaintops to probe the heavens: the skies are dark, the air is clean, the weather is good, and the equatorial location is an important astronomical reference point. Accompanied by Princeton Professor Jeremy Kasdin, lead investigator of Princeton s Terrestrial Planet Finder group, enjoy special access to a variety of Hawaii s observatories and research facilities, including the Mauna Kea Observatory Complex on the Big Island and Project Pan-STARRS at the summit of Haleakala on Maui, where an array of astronomical cameras, telescopes, and computing facilities searches the sky for new asteroids, comets, variable stars, and other celestial objects. Also visit the Imiloa Museum s fascinating exhibitions relating to the history of astronomy in Hawaii. This program also provides plenty of time to explore the many natural wonders of Hawaii. Learn about the islands teeming tropical marine life on a whale-watching cruise during the humpback whale migration and a tour of the Maui Ocean Center. Observe the ongoing forces that continue to shape the islands during a volcanologistled excursion to Kilauea volcano. Enjoy easy walks to view thundering waterfalls and unspoiled panoramas as you search for forest birds with local naturalists and diverse endemic plants such as Silversword and Sandalwood. From the skies above to the ocean depths, Hawaii is a magical place to marvel at the wonders of planet earth. Contact the Princeton Journeys team today at (609) or journeys@princeton.edu to reserve your space on this fascinating exploration of Hawaii s natural and celestial wonders. Sincerely, Leslie J. Rowley S95 Executive Director, Princeton Journeys Office of the Alumni Association Princeton University Make a reservation online today at Marvel at the lava fields in Volcanoes National Park and keep an eye out for the rare I iwi bird (above). Princeton faculty Jeremy Kasdin Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Professor Kasdin performs research in the areas of spacecraft design and control, orbital mechanics, and advanced optics. His current interest is in designing telescope instrumentation to image Earthlike planets around other stars. He has been working with NASA since 2002 on technology for a space planet-finding telescope, including co-leading a design study in 2009 for a possible 4-meter space telescope as a successor to Hubble. His group, along with faculty, staff, and students in the Astrophysics Department, also collaborates with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan s Subaru telescope on their exoplanet imager on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. He is leading the design and manufacture of a new instrument for Subaru to characterize planets, which will be delivered to Hawaii in Prof. Kasdin has traveled to Hawaii for many years and looks forward to sharing his love of the islands and his passion for exoplanet science and technology. He and his wife, Kef, graduated with Princeton s Class of 1985 and are proud that their twin daughters are both members of the Class of When not working, he spends his time cycling, hiking, and rock climbing. For the past several years he has participated in Outdoor Actions freshman trips by helping lead a day of rock climbing for incoming students.

3 Butterfly fish Silversword Telescope, Mauna Kea Itinerary Visit the observatories atop Mauna Kea, where powerful instruments look deep into the mysteries of the universe. Enjoy the diversity of Hawaii s landscapes, from the paradisiacal Kona coast and Big Island waterfalls to otherwordly Haleakala National Park. Marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna, including plumeria and Silverword plants; humpback whales, colorful fish, and green sea turtles; and native birds. S u n d ay, J a n u a r y 2 7 Home Kahului, Maui Makena Fly to Kahului, Maui, and transfer to the Makena Beach & Golf Resort at the base of Haleakala. Enjoy an evening welcome orientation and dinner. Makena Beach & Golf Resort (R,D) M o n d ay, J a n u a r y 2 8 Makena, Maui Join a whale-watching cruise along the shoreline of Maui with the Pacific Whale Foundation to observe humpback whales that migrate from Alaska to Hawaii each winter. Also enjoy a private tour of the Maui Ocean Center, a three-acre tropical reef aquarium and marine science center with thousands of marine species that can be viewed in living coral reefs. Makena Beach & Golf Resort (B,L) T u e s d ay, J a n u a r y 2 9 Makena Those interested can participate in an optional morning bike ride 6,500 feet down to the base of Haleakala before joining a group tour of Haleakala National Park with a local naturalist. Search for a diversity of native birds and endemic plants such as Silversword and Sandalwood. At the summit, visit Project Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System). Makena Beach & Golf Resort (B,D) W e d n e s d ay, J a n u a r y 3 0 Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Fly from Maui to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. During a curator-guided tour of the Imiloa Museum, explore exhibits relating to Hawaiian astronomy and watch a planetarium show about the night skies from the perspective of a native Hawaiian. Drive from sea level to Volcanoes National Park at 5,000 feet, observing the dramatic change in botanic and volcanic scenery. Kilauea Lodge (B,L,D) T h u r s d ay, J a n u a r y 3 1 Volcanoes National Park Accompanied by a local volcanologist, explore Volcanoes National Park, including Steaming Bluff, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Jaggar Museum, Halemaumau fire pit, and Thurston Lava Tube. Descend the Chain of Craters Road, noting the pioneer plants colonizing the huge lava-draped mountainsides. Kilauea Lodge (B,L) F r i d ay, F e b r u a r y 1 Waikoloa Drive from Volcano Village to the scenic Kona coast with a stop at a black sand beach to observe green sea turtles. Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian lunch at the Manago Hotel overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Check in at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, perched atop an old lava flow with ancient petroglyphs on the property. WAIKOlOA Beach Marriott Resort (B,L)

4 Kona coast Humpback whale PROGRAM RATES (per person) Double Occupancy $6,850 Single Occupancy $7,790 Airfare Airfare from home to Maui and return from the Big Island is not included. The on-tour flight from Maui to Hilo is included in the program cost. S at u r d ay, F e b r u a r y 2 Waikoloa Board four-wheel-drive vehicles for the ascent to the Observatory Complex at the 13,796-foot summit of Mauna Kea. Enjoy a private guided tour of one of the telescopes and stargaze through powerful 11-foot Celestron Schmidt- Cassegrain telescopes at the Visitor Information Station. WAIKOlOA Beach Marriott Resort (B,D) Kahului S u n d ay, F e b r u a r y 3 Waikoloa Enjoy a backcountry excursion in the heart of the Kohala countryside. Explore the extraordinary natural beauty on an easy walk that includes a series of waterfalls and magnificent views. This evening, celebrate the adventure at a festive farewell dinner. WAIKOlOA Beach Marriott Resort (B,L,R,D) M o n d ay, F e b r u a r y 4 Waikoloa Kona Home Transfer to the airport in Kona for your flights home. (B) The summit of Mauna Kea is almost halfway out of the Earth s atmosphere and provides one of the clearest views of the skies on the planet. Program Rates Include Educational program by Princeton lecturer and local experts All accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, R=reception, D=dinner) All ground transportation and on-tour flight within program itinerary unless otherwise indicated All excursions as specified in the itinerary Entrance fees, airport and hotel taxes, and gratuities to housekeeping, porters, escorts, drivers, and guides Welcome and farewell wine receptions Water on motorcoaches Group arrival and departure transfers Baggage handling for one checked piece and one carry-on piece per person Complete packet of pre-departure information including educational materials Professional tour manager What to Expect January and February are cool months. Clear, warm days alternate with showery episodes. Temperatures range from the 60s to the 80s, depending on elevation, and precipitation varies greatly even at similar elevations. This is a moderately active program that involves extended periods of walking on uneven terrain. Participants should be fit and in active good health. GENERAL INFORMATION Program Rates Do Not Include Airfare to and from Hawaii Medical expenses and immunizations Arrival and departure transfers/ baggage handling for those traveling independently of the designated schedule Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour Excess baggage charges Trip cancellation/ baggage insurance Meals not specified in the itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included meal

5 Personal items such as telephone and fax calls, laundry, room service, alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included Gratuities for non-group services Other items of a personal nature Insurance As a service to its travelers, the Office of the Alumni Association of Princeton University automatically provides all travelers basic medical coverage under a group travel insurance policy. It is highly recommended that you supplement this basic protection with your own additional coverage, as well as trip cancellation/interruption or baggage coverage. Information on additional insurance is available and will be mailed upon receipt of your reservation. Size This program is limited to 21 participants. TERMS & conditions Reservations & Payments To reserve space, return the completed reservation form with your $1,000 per person deposit to: Princeton Journeys, John Maclean House, P.O. Box 291, Princeton, NJ or fax to (609) Balance of payment is due October 30, We accept personal checks, payable to Criterion Travel, as well as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. Reservations will be processed in order of receipt. Cancellations & Refunds Upon payment of a deposit, all reservations are subject to the cancellation provisions set forth below and by which the passenger agrees to be bound. Cancellations shall not be effective until they are received in writing and confirmed by Princeton Journeys. Deposits are refundable (less a $250 per person administration fee) if written notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of booking your reservation; after that, deposits are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations within 90 days of departure are 100% non-refundable. For this reason we strongly urge participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance. If the program is cancelled by Princeton Journeys or our tour operator, you will receive a full refund, without further obligation on our part. No refunds will be made for any part of this program on which you choose not to participate. NOTE: Neither the Office of the Alumni Association of Princeton University nor Criterion Travel, the tour operator, accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket in conjunction with this tour. disclaimer Princeton University, through its Office of the Alumni Association and Princeton Journeys, is pleased to provide this service of facilitating travel opportunities for its Alumni and Friends. The Office of the Alumni Association strives to work with the best tour operators to make available interesting and enriching travel opportunities for the Princeton family. Please note that the University does not conduct tours, nor does it act as an agent for guests interested in tours. Princeton Journeys acts as a facilitator with tour operators, with whom tour participants make arrangements for completing travel, and is pleased to act as a liaison with tour operators should you have any questions or concerns that may arise before, during, or after your tour. Princeton Journeys encourages you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the tour operator s cancellation and refund policies, and also to investigate available services such as trip cancellation insurance. The University is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements or for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel. We reserve the right to alter the tour s itinerary and to substitute accommodations, lecturers, or other elements if required. California Seller of Travel Program CST # Photo credits (From Dreamstime.com): Telescope (cover) David Aleksandrowicz; Whale tail Idreamphotos; Plumeria Lynn Watson; Sea turtle Idreamphotos; Lava Proseuxomai; Silversword (cover) Karoline Cullen; Lava fields Amy Harris; Butterfly fish Richard Carey; Silversword (interior) Gary Allard; Telescope interior George Burba; Waterfall Cloudia Newland; Kona coast Mike Brake; Breaching whale Robertplotz; Volcanic crater Vlue; Nene Rico Leffanta; Telescopes (back cover) Andre Nantel; Thurston Lava Tube Helmut Watson. I iwi bird Peter LaTourrette. January 27 February 4, 2013 Reservations Please make your deposit check payable to Criterion Travel and mail to: Princeton Journeys, John Maclean House, P.O. Box 291, Princeton, New Jersey Or fax credit card information to: (609) PAYMENT Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person), to reserve place(s) on the Princeton Journeys program Hawaiian Stars. OR Charge the deposit to my credit card: VISA / MC / AMEX (circle one) card # EXP. DATE SECURITy CODE cardholder SIGNATURE Contact Information (please print) NAME #1 NAME #2 STREET ADDRESS CITY / STATE / POSTAL CODE HOME PHONE FAX WORK PHONE PRINCETON AFFILIATION PRINCETON AFFILIATION SINgle travelers: I understand that there is a supplemental charge for single accommodations. If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I prefer to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with: OR I d like to know about roommates. I am a Smoker / Non-smoker. I understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the final payment deadline, I will pay the single rate. I/We have read the tour information section of the brochure and agree to the Terms and Conditions stated therein. SIGNATURE SIGNATURE DATE DATE For more information, contact the Princeton Journeys staff at: journeys@princeton.edu or (609) Volcanic crater, Haleakala

6 Nene World-Class Observatories & Natural Wonders With Jeremy Kasdin, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Jan 27 Feb 4, 2013 Office of the Alumni Association Princeton University John Maclean House P.O. Box 291 Princeton, NJ PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 604 Sacramento, CA Highlights Enjoy special access at some of Hawaii s renowned observatories on the summits of Mauna Kea and Haleakala. January 27 February 4, 2013 Relax in three of the diverse environments that comprise Hawaii two premier resorts set on white sand beaches and a mountain lodge just outside Volcanoes National Park. Experience Hawaii s unique natural history, including a whale-watching cruise during the migration season for humpback whales and an excursion to the ongoing volcanic activity of Kilauea Volcano. Explore Hawaii s national parks, hiking trails, and rainforests with local naturalist guides. Thurston Lava Tube