You are cordially invited to participate in the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, to be held at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Sunday, July 11, to Friday, July 16, 1999. The campus of Wits University is centrally situated within the city of Johannesburg, in the suburb of Braamfontein. The conference venue will be on the East Campus, which is conveniently located close to all conference accommodations: 500 meters from the University hostel accommodation, about 1.5 kilometers from the three-star Milpark Holiday Inn Garden Court Hotel, and about 3 kilometers from the five-star Westcliff Hotel. Registration and welcome reception on Sunday, July 11, 1999, will take place on the West Campus. In order to facilitate your stay in Johannesburg, and in the interest of personal security, the Organizing Committee will provide transportation for all conference participants between the conference hotels and the conference venue. Transportation will also be provided for all other social and scientific functions arranged during the course of this week. In addition, the organizers will assist with transportation arrangements between Johannesburg International Airport and local accommodations.

It is the Johannesburg is southern Africa's largest and most vibrant city. It is the capital of Gauteng (Sotho, for "Place of Gold") Province, and, since the discovery of gold in the former Transvaal in 1886, has been the hub of Africa's largest economy. Johannesburg is in a central location in South Africa, providing easy access to the country's world-famous attractions. Johannesburg International Airport is served by most major airlines, connecting South Africa with all continents. South African Airways has been selected as the preferred conference carrier and is offering MetSoc '99 participants substantial benefits (see Transportation section). The weather during July will be typical Johannesburg winter weather [dry and sunny, with average daytime and nighttime temperatures of 20 degrees and 6 degrees C, respectively (68 degrees and 43 degrees F)]. Daytime temperatures may be as high as 25 degrees C, but evenings are cool, and an occasional cold front cannot be excluded during this month.

Oral sessions will be held from Monday morning to Friday afternoon, with the exception of Wednesday. The lecture theaters (SH5 and SH6) for the two planned parallel sessions are located on the ground floor and first floor (one directly above the other) of the Senate House, the main administrative and lecturing center of the East Campus of the University. Not only will this building host all scientific conference functions, but it also has a number of amenities such as a cafeteria, post office, gift shop, and banks. The plenary sessions (opening session and medalist lectures) will take place in the main university auditorium, the Great Hall, in the Central Block Building adjacent to Senate House.

After the official opening of the conference on Monday, July 12, at 09.00, the Nier, Leonard, and Barringer Medals will be awarded. This will take place in the Great Hall of the Central Block of the University.

Monday, July 12:  The poster session, along with a cocktail party will be held in the Gertrude Posel Art Gallery (Senate House Building), 50 meters from the lecture theaters. This will be followed by a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Johannesburg, to which conference buses will leave from Yale Road at 18.30. This reception will last until about 21.00 and include a light supper.

Tuesday, July 13:  There will be a public lecture by Dr. Carolyn Shoemaker on Tuesday evening (at 18.30) at Rand Afrikaans University, located some 15 minutes by bus from Wits. Transportation will be provided and will depart from the Yale Road bus "terminal" after the last afternoon lecture. Shuttle buses will transport spouses and delegates who are in hotels to the Yale Road bus stop 15 minutes before bus departure. The lecture is sponsored by The Planetary Society, the Mineralogical Association of South Africa, and Anglogold.

Wednesday, July 14:  All conference participants have the opportunity to enjoy a free day trip to the Pretoria Saltpan (Tswaing) meteorite crater. This 220,000-year-old feature is one of the world's best-preserved, bowl-shaped impact craters. The crater is the center of a 2000-hectare conservation area, currently being developed by the National Cultural History Museum in Pretoria, in partnership with other research institutions and local communities, as the first meteorite crater museum in Africa. After arrival at Tswaing, delegates will be introduced to the museum project. The unveiling of a plaque in commemoration of the late Dr. E. M. Shoemaker will be followed by a traditional African lunch, accompanied by choral, dance, and jazz performances by local artists. The afternoon will be dedicated to a tour of the crater, during which there will be an opportunity for the more energetic to descend on foot to the crater floor (100 meters below the rim crest). Delegates are once again urged to wear walking shoes, and to bring a hat and sunglasses, and a warm jacket (just in case). Return to Johannesburg will be at about 18.00.

No event is planned for Wednesday evening. An extensive list of recommended restaurants, as well as recommendations for university accommodation lodgers, will be included with the registration package for those wishing to dine out.

Thursday, July 15:  The annual conference banquet will be held at 19.30 in the ballroom of the Wanderers Club in northern Johannesburg. This is one of the oldest clubs in the city, and is also the site of one of the best-known international cricket stadiums in the world. The banquet will be a traditional sit-down dinner affair. Semiformal to formal dress (jacket and tie) would be appreciated. The Thursday afternoon lecture program will terminate at 17.00, after which time buses will take participants to their hotels. Conference buses will leave from hotels and university accommodations at 18.30 and return to the hotels between 22.00 and 23.00.

Friday, July 16:  There will be a farewell function (cheese and wine) in the Bleloch Museum of the Department of Geology. For those interested, there will be an opportunity for tasting a range of South African wines (purchases and delivery can be arranged). The function will begin at 15.30.

Daily tours have been arranged from Sunday, July 11, through Friday, July 16. Details on these tours, including departure times, are listed below. Please note that participation in these organized tours is not included in the registration fee and will be at the participant's discretion and expense. The following trips are available:

Sunday, July 11, 1999

Option A:  Diamond Mine Visit
Cost:  $55.00 (includes transportation, snack, and tour guide)
Departure ~08.00 from accommodations, return ~14.15.

Wits University Residence Accommodation
One hundred and thirty rooms have been reserved in Jubilee Hall, on the East Campus of Wits University, about 5 minutes walking distance from the conference venue. Jubilee Hall is a modern high-rise building. Breakfast will be served between 07.00 and 8.30 in the dining hall, and amenities include a telephone in each room for receiving calls, a laundry, two television lounges, a game room, and public telephones. Each room has a Sealy bed, a study desk and chair, a wash basin, and built-in cupboard. There are toilets and bathrooms (with two showers and three baths) in close proximity to every room. Most rooms provide single accommodation, but 40 rooms are reserved for double accommodation.

Upon arrival at Jubilee Hall Residence, proceed to the Security/Reception Desk on the ground level. You will be asked to sign the visitors' book and will be given your room key. You will also be designated a telephone number for the purpose of receiving incoming calls only. To be contacted, the following number can be used to obtain a delegate's direct number: +27 11 716 4242. This is not a switchboard and calls cannot be transferred.
Cost:  $20.00 per night (breakfast included)

Holiday Inn Garden Court Milpark
Situated about 1.5 kilometers from the University of the Witwatersrand, this comfortable and modern three-star hotel boasts 251 double rooms and one suite for the disabled. At double occupation, one or two children under 18 can be accommodated in the same room (four people maximum per room; two double beds), at no extra charge; no extra beds can be provided though. Children under 18 years of age stay free. All suites have private bathrooms with shower, radio, telephone, color television with M-Net, individually controlled air-conditioning, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Cost:  Single:  $65.00 per room/night; Double:  $75.00 per room/night ($37.50 per person sharing)
Note:  Breakfast charges are not included.

Westcliff Hotel
For those looking for five-star hotel accommodations, the Westcliff Hotel is the right option! The Westcliff is situated about 3 kilometers from the University. It offers the most sought-after luxury accommodation in Johannesburg. All 106 spacious bedrooms are luxuriously appointed with en-suite bathrooms, digital safes, VCR players, dedicated computer and fax lines, and butler stations with mini bars. Children under 12 stay free, and a 50% room tariff will be charged for children up to the age of 18.
Cost:  Executive Luxury Room $200.00/night (breakfast included)

Daycare facilities can be arranged on request (though no inquiries have yet been received). Please contact the organizers well in advance with your requirements. Both conference hotels provide evening babysitters.

Public transportation is available in and between major centers; how-ever, since South Africa is geared toward private transportion, there is a well-maintained network of roads and motorways. Traffic travels on the left, and speed limits are 60 kilometers/hour in urban areas, 100 kilometers/hour on secondary roads, and 120 kilometers/hour on national highways.

South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa, has been appointed as the preferred carrier for the conference. SAA services most major cities in Europe and has direct flights into North America (Miami and New York). The airline code-shares with seven of the largest international air carriers, including American Airlines and Lufthansa. The international delegates can contact their nearest SAA office and will qualify for the best market fares on the Intercontinental Services of South African Airways. They should quote the following reference number:  AIR/MX.C/1285/98. Participants from overseas can also ask about the African Explorer Fares for travel within South Africa (this works on the coupon-pass principle). Domestic delegates will receive 50% discounted tickets and can make their reservations by contacting the telephone numbers (+27 11) 978 2035/54/9899 and quoting the above reference number. Your travel agent or nearest SAA office can still issue the tickets.

Airports
All travelers arriving in Johannesburg will land at Johannesburg International Airport. South Africa's international airports are located in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. South African Airways, the appointed conference air carrier, and other domestic airlines fly to many local destinations, including all major and regional centers.

Taxis
A number of taxi services are available in Johannesburg. Please remember that taxis are not free-roaming and do not drive around looking for passengers. Taxis can be ordered by telephone, but can also be found at designated taxi-ranks, for example, at airports and railway stations. Hotel or restaurant staff will assist with arranging for taxi services.

Rental Cars
The easiest form of transportation for travel throughout the country comes in the form of rental cars. All major car rental companies are represented in South Africa. Foreign driver's licenses are valid as long as they carry the photograph and signature of the holder. If the license is not in English, a certificate of authenticity from an embassy written in English is required.

Avis Rent-A-Car and Hertz-Alisa Car Rental (Pty) Ltd. have offered conference delegates special discounted rates. If you are reserving a car through Avis, please quote Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) reference number K031503. International rates are available through Avis Reservation Centers worldwide. Hertz-Alisa customers should quote reference number CDP904308 and should reserve rentals through their local agency. See the meeting Web site for details regarding makes, models, and rates (all rates in Rands).

Should you wish to drive yourself, take the Johannesburg Freeway from the airport, then (after ~8 kilometers) make a loop around the southern side of the Central Business District. Turn into the N3 Freeway in the direction of Durban, then (after ~4 kilometers) into the M2 (to Johannesburg), and finally (after~6 kilometers) the M1 North (toward Sandton). Take the Jan Smuts Avenue (~3 kilometers) exit and follow signs to Wits (right at two lights), if you have reserved University accommodations. Delegates staying in hotel accommodations should take the Empire Road exit (2 kilometers) and turn left on Empire Street toward the Holiday Inn, or take the Jan Smuts Avenue exit and turn left on Jan Smuts Avenue toward the Westcliff Hotel (about 1.5 kilometers on the left; see enclosed maps).

If you have provided the organizers with your arrival time and flight number well in advance, please make your way to the Magic Bus counter in Terminal 3 (Domestic Arrivals, on same level as International Arrivals), where they will arrange transportation to your conference accommodation. Costs for this service are included with the registration fee.

Most restaurants and shops, all hotels, and many other businesses accept all major credit cards. We recommend that, upon arrival, you exchange some funds at any of the exchange bureau counters in the International Arrivals Hall at Johannesburg International Airport. The conference hotels also provide a convenient currency exchange service. So that delegates do not have to leave the University campus to visit banks, one of South Africa's major banks, First National Bank, which has a branch in the Senate House Concourse area, will provide at certain convenient times a staff member in the immediate vicinity of the conference venue to assist participants with currency exchange. Visa and Mastercard can also be used at ATMs (e.g., in the Senate House Concourse) for the purpose of withdrawing money.

As with most cities and towns around the world, please remember to be aware of personal safety at all times. To ensure that you enjoy your stay, be aware of the following tips:

    Avoid walking alone in the streets, especially after dark or on the weekends.

    It is advisable to use taxis at night, and only those that have been booked through a reputable taxi company or arranged by hotels.

    Try not to attract attention by overtly carrying cameras or wearing expensive jewelry; leave valuables with hotel security.

    If you have rented a car, always remember to keep your car doors locked. In cities, it is recommended that windows be kept closed, even while driving.

    Try not to carry large amounts of cash; instead use traveler's checks or credit cards.

The organizers recommend that you avoid the Johannesburg Central Business District unless you join a guided tour.

As with all international travel, visitors to South Africa are required to be in possession of a valid passport. Travelers from certain countries also need a visa. Inquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives abroad, the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria, Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001 (phone: +27 12 314 8911; fax: +27 12 314 8516), or the agencies of the South African Tourism Board (SATOUR), which are located in many cities worldwide.

Visitors who intend to travel to South Africa's neighboring countries and back to South Africa are advised that they may need to apply for multiple reentry visas. In terms of existing arrangements, passport holders of certain countries (for example, many European, North American, and Commonwealth countries) are exempt from visa requirements.

A number of places for the two-day Workshop on Extraterrestrial Materials from Hot and Cold Deserts are still available. The workshop will deal with all aspects of extraterrestrial matter from Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as from other deserts (this includes topics as diverse as meteorites, micrometeorites, cosmic dust, weathering effects, and terrestrial and exposure ages). It will be held in the beautiful Kwa-Maritane Resort, about 130 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. A special conference discount rate has been negotiated: accommodation, full board, a number of cultural activities as well as a game drive, and transportation to and from Johannesburg will cost only $400. The registration fee will be $50. Workshop participants ought to arrive in Johannesburg on (or prior to) July 6, 1999. Buses will depart from the appointed conference hotels at 12.00 on July 6 to Kwa-Maritane. The group will return to Johannesburg on the evening of Thursday, July 8, 1999.

A number of exciting field excursions have been planned, based on the interest expressed by members of the Society. The response to the earlier announcements is such that most advertised field excursions are likely to take place (subject to a minimum number of participants, as indicated below for certain excursions). Please register for excursions as early as possible to guarantee yourself a slot and to facilitate organizers' scheduling efforts. Note:  Registration for the Namibia excursion has been closed due to the need for prior application of permits for access into the Restricted Diamond Area. The Zimbabwe excursion is now closed because it is fully subscribed. Unless otherwise stated, the excursions will involve a minimum of strenuous activity. Participants are urged to bring sensible walking shoes. Although daytime temperatures may reach 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) in South Africa (higher in Namibia and Zimbabwe) during July, the weather may turn cold (10-15 degrees C; 50-60 degrees F) and nighttime temperatures can drop to freezing, so please bring warm clothing. Antimalarial prophylactics need to be taken for certain excursions, such as those into the Barberton Mountain Land and Zimbabwe. Where not otherwise stated, excursion costs include all ground transportation and meals.

Bushveld Complex
Preconference:  July 7-10; postconference: July 17-20
Excursion leaders:  Prof. Grant Cawthorn (Wits), Dr. Wolfgang Maier (University of Pretoria), Mr. Jochen Schweitzer (CSIR Mining Technology) - not necessarily all three on both excursions
Participants:  20-40 maximum
Accommodation:  Gethlane Lodge, Burgersfort (3 nights)
Cost:  $500

Vredefort Dome
Preconference:  July 9-10; postconference:  July 17-18
Excursion leaders:  Dr. Roger Gibson, Prof. Uwe Reimold, Dr. Gary Stevens (all Wits), Dr. W. P. Colliston (Univ. of the Free State)
Participants:  15-40 maximum
Accommodation:  Smilin Thru Resort, Parys (1 night)
Cost:  $180
(The preconference excursion will return to Johannesburg in time to attend the Welcome Function.)

Barberton Mountain Land
Postconference:  July 17-20
Excursion leader:  Prof. C. Anhaeusser (Economic Geology Research Unit, Wits)
Participants:  36 maximum
Accommodation:  Avontuur Hotel, Badplaas (3 nights)
Cost:  $650