AAS May Meeting The May meeting of the Auburn Astronomical Society will be on Friday May 3, 8:00 PM in room 302 of the Aerospace building on the Auburn campus. For those of you who live in the Montgomery area, I'll be leaving my house at 7:00 PM and you're welcome to ride over with me. I hope to see everyone there. PSSG '96 The 1996 edition of the Peach State Star Gaze is history now. It will not go down as the one with the most objects observed -- perhaps the one with the most measurable rainfall. There were periods of clear sky reported by people who can get out a warm bed at 2:00 AM, but there was so much moisture in the air that optics quickly dewed up. On a more positive note, Saturday's slate of speakers was top notch. With the exception of Dawn Jenkins' interesting talk on observing with binoculars and Paul Traufler's presentation of his satellite tracking program, TRAKSAT, the talks had an "Observing the Solar System" theme. All were interesting and well presented. As light pollution takes its toll on deep sky observing in the city, observing the Moon and planets is something we can do from the back yard. I was so inspired that I set up my RV-6 in the yard on my return home Sunday evening (yes, it was perfectly clear for the next two days) and renewed my acquaintance with the features on a four-day-old Moon. Ken Poshedly, event organizer, video taped the talks and will make copies available for sale in a few weeks. Jim McLaughlin suggested that the club might consider purchasing a tape to use as program material for some future meetings. Sounds like a good idea to me. As the names of winners of the door prizes were drawn, Jim and I sat anxiously awaiting to hear our names, only to have our hopes dashed as other people took "our" eyepieces and books home with them. David and Raye Newton's names were picked from our club but alas this was one of those "must be present" drawings. Despite the weather, I'm glad I went. I met several nice folks, renewed some old acquaintances, and the sandwiches at the Fresh Air Bar-B-Que are delicious. Thanks to Ken and all Those who worked so hard on this event. May Star Party The new moon weekend for May will be Saturday May 18. Try to be at Holley's Field by sundown. Although we won't have another "comet of the century" to see, the late Spring and early Summer objects should keep us busy until Jupiter rises around midnight. If you hurry, you can still have that new eyepiece delivered in time for Mother's Day and bring it to the star party. :-) New on the List: BOZACK@PHYSICS.AUBURN.EDU (Michael Bozack), Auburn University astronomy professor, whose name I found in an article in the "Advertiser", covering comet Hyakutake. Drop by and give us a visit Dr. Bozack. And, Other Astronomical Societies in Alabama: 75573.1263@CompuServe.COM (Greg Robinson - Birmingham Ast Soc), sasmith@tiger.net-master.net (Scott Smith - Cullman AL), cornutt@hiwaay.net (Dave Cornutt - Von Braun Ast Soc - Huntsville AL), And in Georgia: erg@america.net (Eric Greene - Astronomical Society of the Atlantic - Atlanta GA), aleko@mindspring.com (Alex Langoussis - Atlanta Astronomy Club), And in Florida: henryf@freenet.scri.fsu.edu (Henry Freedenberg - Tallahassee FL Ast Soc), rcurry@pop.jaxnet.com (Roger Curry - North East Florida Ast Soc), yearbyl@aol.com (Yearby Land - Brevard Astronomical Society - Melbourne FL), It is my hope that better communication between our neighboring Astronomical Society's will foster a bond that will be beneficial to all. I would appreciate getting additional e-mail contacts for other clubs in the region as well. And, wsfa@traveller.com (Bob Howell - Channel 12 News), who wants to visit our star parties and renew a childhood interest. By the way Bob, does the name Rex Roach ring a bell? Rex was with our club back during the heady days of Halley. I think he mentioned that maybe you two had worked together earlier in your careers. And a fond farewell to: OVERCASHD@scsu.edu (Dan Overcash), has relocated. He writes: >Thanks for the meeting reminder. Unfortunately the Auburn budget cut took >my position at Auburn. I am now teaching physical science at South Carolina State >University in Orangeburg, SC. My comet photo was featured in a local news article about the comet. >My photo was in full color and filled half page one in section D. If anyone hears of a position >teaching astronomy or physics in your neighborhood, please let me know. My Auburn astronomy >students loved me and astronomy and I loved the politness and inquizitiveness of Alabama students. We hope you can make it back down this way soon, Dan. News from Mobile I just received the latest edition of "Skywatch" from editor, Rod Mollise. This issue has some good coverage of comet Hyakutake memories, a nice review of the Winter Star Party, by Judy Anderson, an overview of astronomy on the Internet, some suggested galaxies to hunt down in Leo, and, what now is one of my favorite columns, "Rumours", suggests that Coulter Optical's assets have been purchased by MURNAGHAN Instruments; speculation about Meade's new Maksutov, designed to fill the void left by Questar's demise, and announces that Celestron is about ready to introduce its version of Meade's popular LX-200, computerized mount. If you'd like your own copy of "Skywatch" delivered to your mail box, just send your name, address and $5.00 for the next six issues to: Rod Mollise 1207 Selma Street Mobile Al 36604 Make checks payable to Rod Mollise That's all for now, Russell Russell Whigham rwhigham@mont.mindspring.com