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Astronomy in the Rocky Mountains

Program Number: 4668RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/2/2013 - 7/7/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Pingree Park, Colorado
Price starting at: $897.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Science & Nature; Natural History Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Far away from city lights high in the Rocky Mountains, view distant objects in the amazing dark skies and clear mountain air. By day, view sunspots and prominences; by night, view stars, clusters, nebulae and galaxies using provided telescopes and binoculars. Learn how to use a “go-to” telescope and star wheels. For those bringing telescopes, individual instruction is available. All levels of experience welcome. Topics change each year to benefit returning participants. Attend both sessions to get the big picture!




Highlights

• Under dark mountain night skies, observe gorgeous stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies with hands-on telescopes.
• During daytime lectures, learn about new planets around other stars in the Milky Way and discuss and question current topics in astronomy.
• See and hear about new discoveries on Mars and other solar system bodies.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to a half mile. Site elevation 9,000 feet.




Date Specific Information

7-2-2013

Star & Galaxy Themes: Active Sun, NEW Earth-sized Extrasolar Planets, Star Motions, Star Types, Star Clusters, Andromeda Galaxy, Nebular Beauties, Astronomical Distances, Sun viewing by day, Star & Galaxy viewing by night.



Coordinated by Mountains and Plains Institute.




Pingree Park

Colorado State University's Pingree Park campus lies in a beautiful mountain valley on the northern border of Rocky Mountain National Park. Purple Pasque Flowers greet visitors in May, while brightly colored aspen leaves announce the fall months. Moose and deer often are seen in the valley, and temperatures are perfect for all types of activities.
Accommodations
Comfortable rooms in one-story buildings; spectacular views from lounge and deck. Cafeteria a 10-minute walk from lodging.
Meals and Lodgings
   Pingree Park Conference Center
  Pingree Park, CO 5 nights
 Pingree Park Conference Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Pingree Park is a beautiful mountain valley. Within this valley is Colorado State University's Pingree Park Campus. The 1,200-acre campus is within sight of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area, and Roosevelt National Forest.
  Contact info: 16321 Pingree Park Road
Bellvue, CO 80512 USA
phone: 970-881-2150
web: www.pingree.colostate.edu
  Room amenities: Comfortable, carpeted modern rooms; private bathrooms.
  Facility amenities: Spectacular views from the spacious lounge and deck. Carpeted rooms and private baths. Free Wireless Internet. One computer available for Internet access in evenings. Two payphones for long distance calls.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Call Pingree Park for rates Persons desiring early or between sessions, or late stayovers should call Pingree Park Campus for rates and availability.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call Pingree Park for rates Persons desiring early or between sessions, or late stayovers should call Pingree Park Campus for rates and availability.
  Check out time: 8:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in by 2 PM. You will be staying at Pingree Park Conference Center that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast. Check out at 8 AM. You will be staying at Pingree Park Conference Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Acknowledgement of Risk Form
  Parking availability:
Parking is free on campus
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Pingree Park, CO
  Nearest city or town:  Fort Collins, CO
  Nearest highway: CO State Hwy 14
  Nearest airport:  Denver International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Pingree Park, CO
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Pingree Park

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
See below
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours 
 

Distance:

 

130 miles
   

Shuttles from Den. Intl. Airport to Fort Collins Hilton Hotel: SuperShuttle-reservations 970-482-0505 or Greenride Colorado-reservations 1-888-472-6656. Ask to be dropped off at the Fort Collins Hilton Hotel - 425 W. Prospect Rd. NOTE: This is not the Hilton Garden Inn. Campus van will pick up at Fort Collins Hilton at 3 pm. on first day of program only and bring to Pingree Park. Campus van departs Pingree Park at 6:30 a.m.on last morning of program to Fort Collins arriving Hilton at 8:15 am.
 
Driving Directions
  Denver, Colorado From DIA: Pena Blvd. to I 70 West I70 West to I25 North I25 North to Fort Collins, State HWY 14 exit, West (Mulberry Street) State Hwy 14 for 35 miles to Pingree Park Rd. 16.5 mi. to Pingree Park
  Fort Collins, Colorado College Avenue North, US Hwy 287 and State Hwy 14 for 10 miles to Junction, Poudre Canyon and division of highways. Take Poudre Canyon, State Hwy. 14 west for 25 miles to Pingree Park Rd. junction, then 16.5 mi. to Pingree Park
Elevation Note: Walking, hiking will experience elevations from 9,000 to 10,500 feet.

Equipment Requirements: Participants are welcome to bring their own telescopes.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome and Introductions
(Tuesday, July 2)
   
 Afternoon: Arrival/check in by 4 p.m. Orientation and tour of campus before dinner
 Dinner: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall at 6 p.m.
 Evening: Introductions and program orientation by Instructor: Lectures during the week may include some of the following: Solar System Themes: Spectacular Sun, NEW for 2013: Mars Curiosity Rover Finds, Aurora Beauties, Stunning Eclipses, Cassini at Saturn Moons, Volcanic Io, Asteroid Impacts, Sun viewing by day, Constellation & Star viewing by night.
   
Accommodations: Pingree Park Conference Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Tools of the Trade/Stargazing
(Wednesday, July 3)
   
 Breakfast: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: Group photo, Learn about telescopes, Planispheres, and Star Maps to be used, view sunspots
 Lunch: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Afternoon: Lecture on week's theme (see Day One) free time late afternoon for optional "Go To" Telescope or individual pursuits
 Dinner: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: Stellar viewing by naked eye and telescopes, planispheres
   
Accommodations: Pingree Park Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Class and Hike/Stargazing
(Thursday, July 4)
   
 Breakfast: Early morning stargazing before dawn. Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: Lecture on week's theme (see Day One); late morning,easy hike to Denny's Point and Twin Lakes
 Lunch: Picnic bag lunch, pick up at breakfast
 Afternoon: Continue hike, return by mid-afternoon
 Dinner: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: Stellar viewing by naked eye and telescopes, planispheres
   
Accommodations: Pingree Park Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Class/Stargazing
(Friday, July 5)
   
 Breakfast: Early morning stargazing before dawn. Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: Lecture on week's theme (see Day One)
 Lunch: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Afternoon: Lecture on week's theme (see Day One)
 Dinner: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: Stellar viewing by naked eye and telescopes, planispheres
   
Accommodations: Pingree Park Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Class/Reception
(Saturday, July 6)
   
 Breakfast: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: Lecture on week's theme (see Day One); review week's observations and discoveries
 Lunch: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Afternoon: Final lecture, Reception and Celebration
 Dinner: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: Free time for packing, farewells, reflection and relaxation. (In case of inclement weather earlier in the week, back-up night for star gazing)
   
Accommodations: Pingree Park Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Departure after Breakfast
(Sunday, July 7)
   
 Depart From: Independent departures after breakfast
 Breakfast: Meals served cafeteria style in the Dining Hall.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Pingree Park, CO Colorado Visitor & Convention Bureau
Phone: 800-265-6723
  Discovery Center Science Museum
703 E. Prospect Road, Fort Collins, CO Phone: 970-472-3990 For additional information, visit www.dcsm.org
  Fort Collins Visitors Bureau
Phone: 970-482-5821
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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