A word from the Editor

99 - so what's in a number, besides being the threshold of our own "Y2K-style" bug?

In this one there's a wealth of ideas about the future, some of which may fundamentally impact our research for decades to come. The primary mirror has been successfully installed in Gemini North which is now poised to achieve first light with the Canadian Gemini Project Office ready to support observing applications. FUSE (the Far Ultraviolet Space Experiment) will fly in the Spring of 1999.

My recent move to Victoria left no time to solicit scientific and historical contributions - but I shall certainly be looking for such articles for the March-99 Equinox issue - issue 100 - twenty-five years of Cassiopeia - for which Gerry and I would greatly appreciate retrospective contributions - there have been such huge changes in every one of our astronomical institution over the last quarter century.

Knowing as little as I do about computers, I was surprised to learn that at least one highly successful Canadian instrument, the radial velocity scanner on the DAO 1.2-m telescope, will fall victim to the 2KY syndrome and shut down forever at midnight on December 31 1999 are any other instruments at risk? Gerry assures me that Cassiopeia is immune and should survive into the next millenium.

Our best wishes to all of you however you celebrate the December Solstice and the upcoming holidays.

Gordon Walker

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