The Astronomy News Hotline, sponsored by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, has a new number: (415) 337-1244. The Hotline’s recorded message—which is available to callers around the clock and has been in continuous operation since 1976, relays new discoveries in astronomy, special celestial events, and other items of interest to stargazers and armchair astronomers. It is written and produced by astronomer Sherwood Harrington, staff member of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and is changed each week. A recent message described the features of Supernova 1987A, the nearest supernova to the Earth in 300 years, and compared it to previously sighted supernovas.
In an effort to increase its international health activities, the Institute of Medicine has elected foreign members to its ranks for the first time. Eight foreign associates were among the 40 new members elected last month, bringing the total membership to 474. They are: Brian Abel-Smith, Mario ...