2024 Total Solar Eclipse
A Unique Journey with Smithsonian’s Astrophysical Observatory: Arizona, New Mexico and Texas
By Private Jet
April 3–9, 2024
During this special program spend time at Smithsonian’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory outside Tucson where you’ll tour some of the incredible telescope observatories located high atop Mount Hopkins. Visit the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab where scientists are constructing some of the largest most lightweight mirrors in the world including castings for the Giant Magellan Telescope! Enjoy an exclusive stargazing party at the Mt. Lemmon Observatory, located north of Tucson. Step aboard a specially chartered private jet for Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where you’ll spend an exciting afternoon at Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Spaceport America. Spend action packed days in Austin, Texas, learning more about UT’s contribution toward the Giant Magellan Telescope project and witnessing the April 8, 2024* Total Solar Eclipse from an exclusive venue underneath the path of totality.
Lisa Kewley is Director of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA). Lisa serves as the primary liaison with Harvard University to ensure continuity of operations and to fulfill the mission of the CfA, and is the primary point of contact with central Smithsonian administration, including the Office of General Counsel, real estate, facilities and more. At the CfA, she is implementing an ambitious new vision for the next generation space and groundbased telescopes, petabyte-scale data handling, new diversity and inclusion initiatives, and nation-wide education and outreach programs.
Highlights Include
• Fascinating Presentations: Enjoy in-depth discussions on astronomy with a variety of experts.
• Smithsonian’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory: Gain special insight during an exclusive VIP visit to see the massive 6.5 Meter Mirror Telescope (MMT) and more.
• University of Arizona Steward Observatory, Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab: Tour this incredible scientific facility which is producing the Giant Magellan Telescope Mirror and others.
• University of Arizona Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter: View planets, stars, and galaxies through the center’s 32-inch Shulman telescope and smaller telescopes.
• University of Texas discussions about their support of and involvement with the Giant Magellan Telescope project.
• Total Solar Eclipse: Observe this amazing phenomenon from a private viewing site at a Texas hill country vineyard
• Other Highlights: Guided tour of the Lady Bird Wildflower Center in Austin and meet with a Texan winemaker for a tour of their vineyard and of course a tasting!
Itinerary
Day 1 Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Tucson, Arizona
Individual arrivals at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Tucson. Join fellow travelers for a welcome reception, opening remarks, and dinner. (R,D)
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Day 2 Thursday, April 4, 2024
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
After breakfast gather for morning presentations followed by lunch. This afternoon depart for the Smithsonian’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory and enjoy a welcome at the Visitor’s Center. Then board smaller vehicles for a drive up Mt. Hopkins (weather and road conditions permitting). Gather at Observatory Ridge to view several reflector telescopes including the 1.2and 1.5-meter telescopes and the 10-meter-diameter optical reflector used for gamma ray studies. Then visit the 6.5-meter Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT). Explore the MMT housing, a fourstory structure of offices, workshops, and computer labs that rotate with the instrument during the nightly observations. Afterward, join astronomers for a catered dinner and during dessert view the skies through smaller telescopes. Return to the hotel late in the evening. (B,L,D)
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Day 3 Friday, April 5, 2024
University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory Mirror Lab & Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
Enjoy the morning at leisure then depart for downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatories, Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. This large-scale scientific production facility is using innovative engineering and optical technology that melds with manufacturing techniques to produce the largest and most advanced giant (8.4 meters / 27 ft) telescope mirrors in the world. The Mirror Lab is currently working on a Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), lenses for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), as well as a 6.5-meter mirror and more.
Afterwards, gather for a late lunch in Tucson
Later this afternoon continue to the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, part of the University of Arizona and the Steward Observatory. After a light meal there will be an opening presentation, then as the sky darkens, look into the night skies of Southern Arizona. You’ll have the opportunity to view through the center’s new 32” Shulman telescope planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Through interactive demonstrations, you’ll learn how to photograph stars and planets, use sky charts to view the night sky and more! Return to the hotel late in the evening. (B,L,D)
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Day 4 Saturday, April 6, 2024
Tucson, AZ - Truth or Consequences, NM - Austin, TX
After breakfast, depart for the airport to board a privately chartered flight to Austin, Texas with a stop en route in Truth or Consequences, NM. Today, Spaceport America, home to Virgin Galactic and other commercial space pioneers, is open exclusively for your group. Explore the
first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world that is set on 18,000 acres and used for research and active launches.
Later in the afternoon, continue to Austin, Texas.
In the early evening check in to the Commodore Perry Estate, a modern interpretation of a residential estate with 10 acres of picturesque grounds in the heart of the city recently reopened as a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection. This evening enjoy a casual dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Commodore Perry Estate
Day 5 Sunday, April 7, 2024
Austin
After breakfast, meet with representatives of the University of Texas/Austin to hear about their involvement with the Giant Magellan Telescope project in Chile’s Atacama desert. Then enjoy a docent-led tour of Lady Bird Wildflower Center where you will discover Texas’ largest collection of native plants. After time in the stunning gardens surrounded by unique architecture, return to the hotel late in the day. (B,L,D)
Commodore Perry Estate
Day 6 Monday, April 8, 2024
Austin and Eclipse Viewing
This morning depart Austin for Texas wine country Meet the owners of a winery and enjoy a tour of the winemaking facilities. Later enjoy a festive lunch. Then gather for the Total Solar Eclipse, with totality extending for over four minutes! Upon your return to the Commodore Perry Estate gather once again for a final toast and then enjoy a relaxing evening. (B,L,D)
*Please note: Visibility of the Total Solar Eclipse is weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed. We will have audio/visual equipment on site so a satellite stream of the eclipse can be seen visually if conditions are cloudy in Hill Country.
Commodore Perry Estate
Day 7 Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Depart for Home
Breakfast at the hotel. There will be private transfers to Austin Bergstrom Airport for departing flights home. (B)
Included Meal Icons: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, R=Reception
Hosts and Experts
Expert lecturers will be available throughout the program, in Tucson, Truth or Consequences, and Austin in order to enhance the experience for all participants.
Activity Level
Expectations: This tour is Moderately Active and will take place in three regions (Tucson, Arizona; Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; Austin, Texas) with a comfortable chartered private jet transfer between these areas. There will be both half-day and some full-day excursions all by comfortable deluxe motorcoach Travelers will be outside quite a bit so it is highly recommended to dress in layers and bring protection from the sun and elements. Expect extensive walking and standing during observatory visits, at the Mirror Lab, the Spaceport, during the Eclipse Viewing Party as well as other sites noted on this itinerary. The weather can be unpredictable this time of year in all regions of this tour. What can start as a warm and sunny day can quickly turn cold and windy. Observatory visits in Tucson will include high elevations and evening star parties which will include later evening returns to the hotel.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with long days of touring (both walking tours and coach time) and are comfortable with traveling to higher altitudes. You can read more about the special observatory visits below. If you are unsure about traveling to higher altitudes, we recommend you contact your physician prior to registering for this tour.
Accommodations
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Marana, Arizona
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is situated in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona and is surrounded by the canyons of the Tortolita Mountains. In this secluded setting, guests at the resort can explore 26 miles of hiking trails, a sprawling swimming pool complex, a 27-hole championship golf course, a luxury spa with holistic therapies, and more. Tastefully designed rooms showcase the architectural style of the region utilizing dark mesquite woods and a touch of Southwestern flair. Indigenous textiles, natural materials, and earth tones honor the dramatic setting.
Number of nights: 3
Commodore Perry Estate
Austin, Texas
The Commodore Perry Estate offers ten acres of gardens and an Italian Renaissance Revival Mansion. Originally built for cotton shipping tycoon Edgar Perry, nicknamed “Commodore” by his friends, the property is adjacent to the historic Hyde Park neighborhood. A stately combination of European elegance infused with Southern hospitality greets guests as they settle in to one of 54 rooms on property. Each room features ample natural light, a cocktail cart stocked to your wishes, and luxury amenities. Other property amenities include a fitness center, pool, turndown service, bar, restaurant, and in-room dining.
Number of nights: 3
Ground Transportation
Airport transfers for those arriving on April 3rd in to Tucson and those departing Austin on April 9th are included. All on-tour excursions will include travel by deluxe private motorcoach.
Private Jet
Embraer 135 / 30 passenger capacity
This regional twin jet aircraft offers a standup cabin and is configured with 30 coach leather passenger seats in a single aisle 2-1 configuration. Cabin Height: 6.1 ft. Seat pitch: 36”.
Pricing
The cost for this program is $29,900 per person, sharing accommodations.
A limited number of single accommodations are available at a cost of $35,900 per person.
Terms & Conditions
A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 per traveler will be required to reserve your space on this program.
This trip will include SAO and Smithsonian Experts and a professional Travel Tour Manager who will travel with the group throughout, plus local Experts in Tucson, Spaceport America, and Austin. Round-trip airfare (to Tucson and from Austin) and personal incidentals are not included.
The trip will have a maximum of 24 participants, plus expert staff.
To make a reservation, please call 1-800 328-2089 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time) or you may email Kylie Curtis at kylie@criteriontravel.com.
Photo Credits first page:: From Left: Smithsonian’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory MMT & Observatory Ridge from above, credit Harvard-Smithsonian; Total Solar Eclipse, credit Smithsonian