I AM DRIVING UP TO HANKSVILLE, Wednsday 28 August,
TOMMORROW. If any one in Arizona wants a ride, please
let me know NOW. (Call 928-231-0473)

My route will be through Tucson, Phonenix (with a
short stop at Arcosanti), then up to Flagstaff, and
then back North-East, through the Painted Desert, Hopi
& Navajo Reservations. We'll pass up through the
Four-Corners area, then on up Rte-91 to Hanksville.

Let me tell you from experience, it's quite a ride!
I've made it in 10 hours, but will probably stop to
visit Anasazi & other native American archeological
sites along the way. Many of them have Astronomical
significance. After all; they were the first amateur
astronomers here.

I'm also looking for room mates, to defer lodging
costs at the Whispering Sands hotel in Hanksville.
While much of our nights will be spent
Mars/stargazing, I plan on showering & sleeping in
Hanksville.

Breakfast is always great at Blondies too!

CROSSPOSTED FROM R.A.Zubrin:

Star Party on Mars!
Join the MARSpectacular!
Mars Desert Research Station Mars Party
August 29-30-31 2003
For further information about the Mars Society, visit
our website at
www.marssociety.org.

Imagine observing Mars this summer from a place that
looks like the Red Planet- complete with a fully
functional Mars Habitat and Observatory. You are
cordially invited to attend a Mars Party held at
the Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville,
Utah. The site was chosen for it's Martian landscape
and is a research facility used by the Mars Society to
make studies for the human exploration of Mars.
With its 6.7 magnitude skies it is an ideal location
for observing the wonders of the universe. This is a
free event sponsored by the Mars Society and
Celestron.

The Event: Bring your telescope, cameras and camping
gear (and plenty of food and water) to camp out near
the HAB. Porta-john facilities will be available at
the site. The town of Hanksville is 6 miles
from the HAB and has motels, food and gas. Observing
sessions will be held nightly with images updated of
Mars from the Celestron CGE1400 telescope in the
Observatory. HAB and Observatory tours will be
available as well as Dr. Robert Zubrin, the visionary
whose work has set the stage for the human exploration
to Mars. Contests will be held throughout the weekend
with prizes given by the Mars Society and
Celestron. You could even win the opportunity to don a
space suit and go on a simulated Mars EVA (a great
photography opportunity). Or win a Celestron NexStar
5i with tripod, upgraded hand control, and
GPS accerssory (a $1200 value)!

The Observatory: Located at the site is the Mars
Desert Research Station Observatory; an automated
Sirius Dome which houses a Celestron CGE1400 telescope
on an Astro Pier from Le Sueur Manufacturing. Two CCD
cameras (SBIG ST2000XM and an STV Deluxe) are
operated from the observatory or remotely from inside
the HAB.

Directions: Your destination in Hanksville is the
Whispering Sands Motel. Internet mapping sites
such as mapquest, yahoo maps, or maps on us can
provide you with detailed directions from the airport
in Salt Lake City or from your location. Enter the
information below:

To: Whispering Sands Motel, 140 S Hwy 95 Hanksville,
UT 84734

Once you arrive at the Whispering Sands Motel in
Hanksville you can pick up a map to the HAB. Escort
service will also be available at
certain times from the Motel if you wish to follow
someone to the site. This is HIGHLY recommended if you
are planning on arriving at night.


What to Bring: You already know to bring your camping
gear, telescope equipment and cameras, but please
don't forget the following items:
· Water- lots of it!
· Food
· Cooking stove (no open fires will be permitted)
· Sunscreen
· Hat with a brim
· Sturdy shoes for hiking

Be Aware: You assume all risk for your safety during
your stay. The Mars Society, Celestron or any of its
members will not be held liable. Desert camping can be
dangerous if certain precautions aren't taken. Some
items to be aware of are the following:

· The daily temperature most likely will be around
100-105 degrees during the day and will drop at night
into the 90's. It will drop lower at night if there is
a wind.
· Bring plenty of water to drink and to cool down.
· Use sunscreen and limit your exposure to the sun.
· Scorpions and snakes are in the desert. Shake boots
and
sheets before you get in them. Mountains Lions
(Cougars) are also
desert creatures. Do not leave any food out at night.
· The road to the Mars Desert Research Station is
rough at spots. Low riding cars may have some
difficulty in negotiating the terrain. Plan to arrive
during the day and take your time going to
the HAB. Escort service will be available at certain
times and is HIGHLY recommended at night for your
first trip to the site.
· Please practice "leave no trace" camping techniques.


Internet: Stay tuned to this website if you can't make
MARSpectacular. There will be updated images of Mars
taken from the Mars Desert Research Station
Observatory and other chances to win
prizes during that weekend.

Make this opposition of Mars a memorable one. Join us
for MARSpectacular; our post opposition party over
Labor Day weekend. If you have any questions about
this event please contact Peter Detterline at
detterline@l...


For further information about the Mars society, vist
our website at
www.marssociety.org.



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