CAA has tentatively approved the actual purchase ( well maybe) of a
"working telescope with working drive", for their rolloff observatory at

their Pal-Dows facility. This wouldbe the first "complete and working"
telescope sicne the 1980s! The Gang of Five in control has even relented

and may allow the new telescope to be .... eeee-gads! .... Go To
!!!!!!!!
This monumental decision would break the longstanding AAVSO policy at
CAA that all telescopes must be "primitive" in order to force subjects
to learn
how to find stars, manually.

Caveat! The new policy has only been suggested, not actually passed. We

here that stiff opposition is being mounted by the Rockwell Retirees
Union
and private observatory owners in control! So, Luddites may still have
ample
time to enjoy there favorite pastime, moving telescopes with crowbars
and
sighting with broomstick handles. Moreover, the last time a major policy

decision like this was put on the table it took 20+ years and an expense
of
$150,000 just to get a "robotic telescope" going and that project still
does not
work. So, we anticipate at least a five year wait while the matter of
electrical
outlets is discussed alone, with the engineering help of experts at UI's
Dept of
Physics & Astronomy.

Teaching sessions at Pal Dows will continue as usual this summer. Fuzzy
Wuzzy
saw the Great Bear!