Solar eclipse delegation on goodwill mission to Iran
June 5, 1999 - Washington, DC: Dr. Alan Hale, Director of the Southwest
Institute for Space Research, and co-discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp -- which
shone brightly in the spring skies two years ago -- will lead a delegation
of private US citizens to Iran to view the total solar eclipse on August
11th, 1999. He has just made available a limited number of positions for
astronomers, scientists or professionals to join this astronomical adventure.
Joined by Russell ("Rusty") Schweickart, lunar module pilot
for the Apollo 9 mission in March 1969, and currently President of the
telecommunications consulting firm NRS Communications, Dr. Hale's delegation
will include scientists, students of all ages, educators and professionals
from around the United States.
John Marks, President and Founder, Search for Common Ground, and his
team in Washington, D. C. and Iran, have served as a catalyzing partner
with Dr. Hale in the planning and negotiation of this trip. Search for
Common Ground, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) and nongovernmental organization
was founded in 1982, shares a planetary vision of transforming how the
world deals with conflict -- away from adversarial approaches toward cooperative
solutions.
This is the last total solar eclipse of this Millennium to be seen from
anywhere on Earth. Weather data indicates that the best chances for clear
skies for this eclipse occur in Iran near the city of Esfahan.
Leaders interested in becoming a partnering sponsor with the Institute's
Eclipse Expedition to Iran, or individuals who are interested in joining
in this spectacular chance-of-a-lifetime trip, should contact the Institute's
financial development associate, Buddy Chambless, at (703) 892-5011, or
via e-mail at WChambless@aol.com.
All technical questions concerning the eclipse or other aspects of the
trip should be made directly to Dr. Hale at (505) 687-2075 or via e-mail
at ahale@nmsu.edu.
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