The discovery of possible Martian fossil life forms in a meteorite has excited public interest. There will be many misconceptions, of course, so it is very important for astronomers to speak out on the topic. Next spring, Comet Hale-Bopp is predicted to be even brighter than Comet Hyakutake was. At my college, last March, hundreds of people came to see the comet. Fortunately, some local amateurs came also, with their telescopes - which were bigger than the college's.
Astronomy education is a partnership.
Professional astronomers can make many contributions, but they are most effective when they work with teachers, education officials, planetarium and science centre staff, and amateur astronomers. In April 1996, Toronto celebrated Astronomy Day, as it regularly does. Later in this newsletter, I mention both the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the European Association for Astronomy Education. Both have been very successful in bringing astronomers and teachers together - the first, for over 100 years, and the other for barely two years. They both represent excellent examples of partnership.