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May 18 −26 , 2020 MAY 18 −26 , 2020 TEIDE OBSERVATORY WITH RICHARD BINZEL, MIT PROFESSOR OF PLANETARY SCIENCES DEAR MIT STUDY LEADER ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, Travel with us to the Canary Islands next May for multiple opportunities to stargaze from one of the best places for night sky viewing on Earth. On Tenerife explore Teide National Park, home of Spain’s highest peak, and the first World Heritage Site to be designated as a “Starlight Destination.” Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Teide Observatory, the largest solar Richard Binzel is one of the world’s leading scientists in the study of observatory on Earth. Visit the Technological asteroids and Pluto. As the inventor of the Torino Scale, his scientific and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER), and analysis has shown the link between major meteorite groups and learn about its cutting edge research. Enjoy an their formation and source locations. Asteroid number 2873 bears his afternoon of whale watching and swimming name, an honor bestowed by the International Astronomical Union in from a private catamaran and sample the local recognition of his contributions to the field. He is also a co-investigator wines in the scenic La Orotava Valley. Then fly on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission where he leads to the island of La Palma, the first UNESCO the development of a student-built flight instrument, the Regolith X-ray Starlight Reserve on Earth, for a private tour of Imaging Spectrograph (REXIS). Binzel was awarded the H. C. Urey Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. Walk Prize by the American Astronomical Society in 1991. He also was in the spectacular volcanic landscapes and awarded a MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellowship for teaching excellence in beautiful forests of two national parks, Caldera 1994 and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Earth, de Taburiente and Cumbre Vieja, stargazing Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT since 1999. from their peaks. Leading this adventure is MIT Professor, Richard Binzel, who will provide lectures and lead discussions throughout the program. I encourage you to join us! To reserve your place, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749, or email us at [email protected]. You may also contact the tour operator, Criterion Travel, at 888-328-2089. Sincerely, Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program P.S. Visit our website at alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all of our programs. ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS OBSERVATORY TEIDE OBSERVATORY TELESCOPE a special visit and discussion with local Heritage Site. Visit the new SPECULOOS scientists. Return to La Laguna for lunch telescope, built with the mission of searching Itinerary and some free time in the historic city center. for exoplanets (planets and other stars). This Gather tonight for a festive welcome dinner telescope is sponsored by MIT’s Department Monday, May 18 / Tuesday, May 19 of traditional Canarian foods. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences LA LAGUNA GRAN HOTEL (B,D) and our access to it made possible by DEPART U.S. / Dr. Richard Binzel. Experience the park’s LA LAGUNA, Thursday, May 21 geologic wonders, choosing from different TENERIFE, SPAIN LA LAGUNA / walking options, and discover the magic of Tenerife at twilight with a ride up the cable Depart on an overnight flight to Tenerife, LOS GIGANTES car to the 11,663-foot lookout at sunset from Spain in the Canary Islands. Transfer by Check out of the hotel and travel to ITER Spain’s highest peak. Reflect on the day with private motor coach to San Cristóbal de La (Technological and Renewable Energy a cocktail style dinner at the cable station and Laguna, the ancient capital of the Canaries Institute). Drive to the westerly point of enjoy stargazing from Guajara Mountain. declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Tenerife to the charming seaside town of HOTEL STIL LOS GIGANTES (B,L,D) Check into our hotel, located in in the historic Los Gigantes, with its ancient and dramatic center of town surrounded by shops and mountain range rising from the sea beside Saturday, May 23 restaurants. Enjoy dinner at the hotel at your the village and after which it’s named—‘The TENERIFE / leisure. LA LAGUNA GRAN HOTEL (D) Giants.’ Check in to Hotel Los Gigantes and following dinner unravel the secrets of the LA PALMA Wednesday, May 20 night sky on a stargazing excursion from Relax and recover from the long day in Teide LA LAGUNA Masca or El Palmar. National Park with a leisurely morning, check HOTEL STIL LOS GIGANTES (B,L,D) out of hotel and drive to the scenic Valley Begin the day with an orientation and of La Orotava to visit the historic quarter, first lecture by MIT Enrichment Lecturer Friday, May 22 including a lunch and wine tasting of Tenerife’s Richard Binzel before a guided walking tour famed volcanic wines. Take the one-hour of La Laguna, the first unwalled colonial TEIDE afternoon flight to beautiful La Palma Island, city, including the Cathedral and Plaza el NATIONAL PARK known for its incredible landscapes, imposing Adelantado. Continue to the Institute of Following a second lecture by Richard volcanoes and star-filled night skies. Check-in Astrophysics of the Canary Islands for Binzel, embark on a full-day excursion to at H10 Taburiente Playa, a comfortable hotel Teide National Park, a UNESCO World TEIDE NATIONAL PARK TAGANANA VALLEY PROGRAM RATES Rates are per person, ............................................ $4,990 based on double occupancy Single Supplement ................................................... $600 GENERAL INFORMATION Program Rates Include All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary • Full program of briefings, lectures and presentations • Informational pre-departure materials • Group transfers for participants on group arrival and departure days • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides and drivers • Entrance fees • House wine, beer, and soft drinks at all group lunches and dinners TEIDE OBSERVATORY & MOUNT TEIDE • Bottled water on motorcoaches • Professional tour manager throughout Program Rates Do Not Include directly on the seafront in the small Monday, May 25 U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa expenses resort town of Cancajos and enjoy • On tour economy flight to La Palma Island (estimated at $112 in LA PALMA economy class) • Medical expenses and immunizations • Private dinner and an evening lecture by airport transfers or group transfers outside of arrival and departure Richard Binzel. Spend the morning exploring days • Travel insurance • Optional excursions or deviations from the H10 TABURIENTE PLAYA (B,L,D) Los Llanos de Aridane and its scheduled tour • Excess baggage charges • Meals not specified in charming old town, rich with Sunday, May 24 the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals • traditional Canarian style low Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, fax, internet, or email charges LA PALMA houses, a colorful market, and the • Room service • Other items of a personal nature beautiful Antonio Felipe Gómez Venture north to the de los What to Expect Park. Continue to La Cumbrecita Muchachos Observatory, renowned This will be an amazing journey, but as with all travel, a spirit of viewpoint for a spectacular adventure and a degree of flexibility will enhance your enjoyment for its state-of-the art optical panoramic view of Caldera de of this program. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled and infrared astronomy. Enjoy a Taburiente National Park and a activities, except when traveling to the next destination. For the most private visit of the state-of-the- chance to walk in the national park. satisfying experience, and in fairness to your fellow travelers, please art observatory boasting some of Return to the hotel for lunch and note that this tour requires the following: the most extensive astronomical time to rest and take advantage • Walking without assistance for one to two miles facilities in the Northern of the hotel’s amenities. Travel over uneven terrain Hemisphere. Descend to the city of this evening to Los Canarios for a • Climbing stairs without assistance Santa Cruz de La Palma for lunch • Standing for up to an hour during excursions festive farewell dinner at sunset at and an exploration of this historic • Keeping pace with an active group of travelers Jardin de la Sal followed by one last and lively town. Return to the hotel night of star-gazing at San Antonio Although the hotels on this tour are at low elevations, much of for leisure time before dinner and an the star gazing and some excursions take place at much higher Volcano. H10 TABURIENTE PLAYA (B,L,D) evening of star-gazing from Mirador elevations, including a trip to Mt. Tiede at over 12,000 feet. While it is Llano del Jable. Tuesday, May 26 not required, to fully participate in this program, you need to have the ability to withstand altitude with no adverse effects. Higher altitudes H10 TABURIENTE PLAYA (B,L,D) LA PALMA / can exacerbate health issues you already have, so you may want to HOME check with your physician before registering. Air Arrangements Breakfast and morning at leisure U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program before transferring to the airport for rates. AirTreks can help with airline arrangements for this trip and can flights home. (B) be reached at (800) 350-0646. You are also welcome to book your air transportation through your local travel agent, an online travel site, or the airline of your choice. Further information about making flight arrangements will be sent to all participants. A Note about Costs Tour costs are based upon current fuel prices, taxes, tariffs, exchange rates, and a minimum of 18 registered participants.
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