tyger@well.UUCP (Richard A Childers) (03/11/86)
ATTN : Halley's Comet Watchers
Two new numbers have recently been enabled to handle queries about viewing
Halley's Comet, including suggested equipment, viewing locations and direc-
-tions of occurrence.
Both are area code 900 numbers ... this implies that it is a basic $ 0.50
for the first minute, $0.35 for each minute afterwards. Use of 900 numbers
is restricted to direct dial callers, it is said, to avoid abuse by hotel
guests and business phone system users.
The U. S. Naval Observatory, in Washington, D. C., will provide those on
the East Coast with information on locating and viewing the comet, as well
as the best times and techniques for observation. More than 400,000 have
called this number since it was initiated in mid-December. The phone number
is : (900) 410-8766.
The second number is provided by the Planetary Society and ABC News and also
provides up-to-date news about the comet, as well as where to find it. This
number is : (900) 410-STAR.
For those in the vicinity of California, the best time forecast to view the
comet was in early January, although it will return to within the view of
Earthlings, mostly in the southern hemisphere, very early mornings in April.
Good watching, and remember the small flask of good brandy ; also, for your
viewing pleasure, it is recommended that you cover all flashlights with a
red lense ( decorative cellophane is perfect ), to screen out white light
that might otherwise disturb your dark-adapted eyes. This facilitates the
process of star-watching greatly ...
-- richard
--
"The way to do is to be." -- Lao Tzu ... circa 500 B C ...
..{dual,glacier,hplabs}!well!tyger aka Richard A Childers