Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After shuttling or walking to our classroom at Northern Arizona University, our morning presenter will give a talk about our place in the universe. This lecture will provide an overview of the universe from its origins – Big Bang Theory – to how stars are born, the creation of our solar system, and current discoveries/thoughts on subjects such as dark matter, string theory, and more. We’ll then take a short walk to our lunch location.
Lunch:
At the university dining facility on the south campus.
Afternoon:
Returning to the classroom on campus, we’ll settle in for a discussion with a university professor on humans in space, NASA, and the International Space Station. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at the hotel and rest up for stargazing this evening at Lowell Observatory.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Boarding our vehicles, we’ll then travel to Lowell Observatory for a walking history field trip led by a Lowell Observatory docent, during which we will see the 24-inch Clark Telescope that Percival Lowell used to study Mars, the Pluto Discovery Scope, the Rotunda, and the Exhibit Hall. Founded in 1894 by astronomer Percival Lowell, the observatory is one of the earliest built in the U.S.A. As such, and due to its reputation for firsts including, according to the Lowell Observatory’s website, “the first detection of the expanding nature of the universe, the discovery of Pluto, moon mapping for the Apollo program to the moon, the rings of Uranus…” – it holds a special place in both American and global history. The innovations have not ceased, however, evidenced by the impressive 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope, which has been fully functioning since 2015.