We are delighted to invite our members, observers, and friends to join us for the very special, 92nd Spring Meeting of the American Association of Variable Star Observers to be held April 23-26, 2003 at the University Park Marriott in Tucson, Arizona. Our hosts for this meeting are long-time AAVSO member, David Levy, and University of Arizona professor, Dr. Tim Slater.

As was announced at the last meeting and in the most recent AAVSO Newsletter, the AAVSO will hold only one full meeting this year. The 2003 annual meeting will consist of only council and membership meetings - no invited speakers, scientific paper sessions, or field trips will be scheduled. We hope that you and your families will be able to take this opportunity to attend the only full AAVSO meeting to be held in 2003 and join us in Tucson. It is sure to be a very special event.

Many think of southern Arizona as the astronomical center of the US due to the large number of professional and amateur observatories in the area. What a perfect location for our meeting! The Tucson area is packed with a wide range of activities and attractions that the whole family can enjoy. We have many interesting events planned for this meeting, including: a Wednesday night welcome dinner, a tour of the University of Arizona Mirror Lab, a very special field trip to Kitt Peak, a workshop on Photometric Databases and Data Analysis Techniques, a star party hosted by David Levy, the AAVSO membership meeting, the AAVSO scientific paper session, and our annual banquet and awards presentations.

AAVSO meetings give both newcomers and longtime attendees the opportunity to share ideas and experiences. Attending AAVSO meetings is also an excellent way to learn about and keep up to date on the many activities and accomplishments of the Association. Bring your families and stay a few extra days to enjoy the sights! Whether you have attended dozens of AAVSO meetings or are a first-time attendee, we hope to see you in Tucson for the 92nd Annual Meeting of the AAVSO. This is sure to be an interesting, exciting, and enjoyable meeting.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Welcome Dinner: All attendees are invited to attend a welcome dinner buffet at the University Park Marriott on Wednesday, April 23rd. This dinner is the perfect opportunity for members and friends relax and enjoy each other’s company. This is the first official event of the meeting involving all of the attendees. What a perfect time to catch-up with old friends and to make new ones. Join us for some wonderful food with hint of local flavor!

Tour of University of Arizona Mirror Lab: On the morning of Thursday, April 24th a limited number of attendees will have the opportunity to visit the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory. The optical work going on at this lab is cutting edge and quite interesting. A team of scientists and engineers is hard at work making giant, lightweight mirrors for a new generation of optical and infrared telescopes. The tour is sure to be very informative and interesting. There will be 2 tour times 9:00-10:30 am and 10:00-11:30 am. Space is very limited, so register early to get a spot. NOTE: Due to lab regulations, children under the age of 14 may not take part in the tour.

Telescope Tours and Observing at Kitt Peak:
On Thursday, April 24th (after the tours of the mirror lab) we will leave the hotel and head to Kitt Peak. Kitt Peak National Observatory is home to 22 optical and 2 radio telescopes. A boxed lunch will be provided once we arrive. Many of the telescopes at Kitt Peak have visitor galleries and there will be time for visiting these on your own. We will also have special “behind the scenes” tours of the 2.1-meter telescope and the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. There is a possibility of a special tour of the 4-meter Mayall Telescope as well - this will depend on the preparations required by the astronomers at the 4-meter for that evening’s observations. Following the telescope tours we will have a boxed dinner, listen to a couple of informal talks, and watch the sunset. We will then have access to two 16-inch Kitt Peak telescopes! There will also be binoculars on hand for observing or you can bring your own. Kitt Peak is home to some of the best skies in the world, so this is sure to be an evening to remember. Variable star observing from Kit Peak - it doesn’t get much better than that!

Arizona mountain temperatures rage from 72°F (high) to 37°F (low) in late April, so please be sure to bring a coat or jacket with you on this trip. You will have access to inside areas during the evening, but, of course, there is no way to fully enjoy the beautiful Arizona skies without going outside! It is also recommended that everyone wear comfortable shoes.

Workshop - Photometric Databases and Data Analysis Techniques: This workshop will be held at the University Park Marriott on Friday, April 25, 2003. In response to the recent availability of large databases, the increasing sophistication of amateur astronomers’ knowledge, and their interest in accessing and analyzing available data sets, we have organized this very timely workshop. The workshop will contain presentations by experts in the field and will focus on existing and future databases, how to access those databases, statistical analysis methods (particularly for variable star data,) and how the new information and tools available relate to the AAVSO International Database.

Star Party hosted by David Levy: David Levy is a long-time AAVSO member and a well-known amateur astronomer. He was the first recipient of the W. T. Olcott Award for Service to the AAVSO. David has published 29 books, written numerous magazine and newspaper articles, and has discovered 21 comets. One of these comets, Shoemaker-Levy 9, crashed into Jupiter in 1994, resulting in a massive explosion. He also won an Emmy for writing the television documentary on comet impacts titled, "Three Minutes to Impact." David and his wife, Wendee, have invited everyone attending the meeting to come to their home and Jarnac Obseratory to see their collection of telescopes and have some fun observing the stars through them. David and Wendee are well known for their welcoming hospitality. This is sure to be an evening you won’t want to miss!

Membership Meeting: All attendees are invited to this gathering, which will be held from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 26th. The purpose of this meeting is to inform attendees of the activities of the Association. Reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Chairs, and the Director will be included.

Scientific Paper Sessions: Members and friends are invited to present papers on variable stars and related topics. Papers will be presented on Friday and Saturday afternoons, April 25th and 26th. Time-slots will range from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on amount of time requested and the number of papers submitted. NOTE: Due to the traditionally large number of papers submitted for presentation, it is possible that only a portion of those papers submitted will be given time slots for oral presentation. If this occurs, the remaining papers will be given space in Saturday afternoon’s poster session. Those planning to present papers at this meeting should complete and return the enclosed abstract form no later than April 11, 2003. Each author will be notified by April 16 of his/her paper’s status as either an oral presentation or a poster paper.

Annual Banquet and Awards Presentation: The Annual Banquet will be held at the University Park Marriott on the evening of Saturday, April 26th. It will feature a choice of Center Cut Top Sirloin, Marinated Pork Loin, or Vegetarian Pasta. The banquet will be preceded by a cash bar and followed by AAVSO awards presentations.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Sleeping rooms have been reserved for AAVSO meeting attendees (at special group rate) at the beautiful University Park Marriott.

The University Park Marriott is located right on the edge of the campus of the University of Arizona. The hotel is approximately 8 miles from Tucson International Airport. Just steps from the hotel is a very interesting area filled with shops and cafes - perfect for your free evenings. Museums and art galleries are also an easy walk from the hotel.

The University Park Marriott is home to the Saguaro Grill, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also a lounge on site. The hotel features a pool, sauna, whirlpool, and fitness center as well as a business center. Each guest room is equipped with all of the standard amenities including cable TV, 2 phone lines, 2 data ports, an iron and ironing board, hairdryer, and coffee maker. Parking at the garage adjacent to the hotel is $10 per weekday. This charge can be included in your hotel bill. Garage parking on Saturday and Sunday is free of charge.

University Park Marriott, 880 East Second Street, Tucson, AZ 85719

The following rate has been obtained for AAVSO meeting attendees:

$99.00 (US funds) per night, single or double occupancy
(9.5% room tax not included)
(check-in after 3:00pm, check-out by noon)

Please make reservations by calling the University Park Marriott at 520-792-4100 ext. 2020 before Monday, March 24, 2003. Also, please be sure to mention that you will be participating in the AAVSO meeting when making your room reservations.

REGISTRATION

A registration form for this meeting is enclosed. Please return the form along with payment in US funds no later than March 24, 2003. After this date the early registration rate will no longer be available. Please send your form and payment to: AAVSO, 25 Birch St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

TRANSPORTATION

Driving directions will be mailed/emailed to all meeting registrants.

Transportation will be provided for the Thursday Tours and Field Trip and for the Friday night Star Party at David Levy’s. All other activities will take place at the hotel.

Rental Car: Below is a list of some of the rental car agencies that operate out of Tucson International Airport and their phone numbers.

Taxi/Shuttle Service: Both a taxi and a shared shuttle van from Tucson International Airport should cost $15 - $20. Taxis are readily available at the airport. For shuttle information and reservations please visit the web site for Arizona Stagecoach at http://www.azstagecoach.com.

TUCSON INFORMATION

Climate: From the desert floor to the highest mountain peak, Arizona’s famed sunshine ensures that nearly every day is a perfect one for getting out and seeing the sights. Tucson gets an average of 350 days of sunshine every year and is known for it’s low humidity. This being said, please remember to bring your sunscreen and stay hydrated if you plan on spending time outdoors. Expected temperatures in late April are as follows: Desert (Tucson) - 53°F low to 89°F high; Mountains (Kitt Peak) - 37°F low to 72°F high.

Time Zone: Arizona is in the Mountain Standard Time Zone. The state does NOT switch to Daylight Savings Time in the Spring.

Some Tucson Area Attractions:

4th Avenue Arts District: (1 block from hotel) An eclectic bohemian collection of shops and restaurants.

Kartchner Caverns State Park: (about 50 miles from Tucson) Kartchner Caverns State Park is located in the beautiful Whetstone Mountains. The Caverns are touted as being among the most pristine in the US. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, bird sanctuary and a visitors’ center.

Flandrau Science Center: (on U of A campus) This facility appeals to all ages with its hands-on science exhibits, planetarium shows, mineral museum and nighttime programs.

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum: (12 miles from hotel) This “living museum” houses over 1,300 kinds of native plant and animal life in enclosures that resemble their habitat in the Southwest. Great for the kids too!

Biosphere II: (32 miles from hotel) Part of Columbia University, Biosphere II is a glass enclosed research lab containing a tropical rain forest, a savanna, a desert, and a 1-million gallon ocean with coral reefs.

Old Tucson Studios: (12 miles from hotel) This famous film location, built in 1939, has more than 300 movies and television productions to its credit. Now a western theme park, it offers live-action entertainment, gunfights, interactive shows, rides, shops, and saloons.

Sabino Canyon: (15 miles from hotel) This is one of the most magnificent wonders in Tucson with a tremendous collection of giant saguaros and native Sonoran Desert flora.

San Xavier Mission: (15 miles from hotel) This 200-year-old church features brightly colored fresco murals, elaborately carved wood and magnificent altarpieces.