_                   
                                                         |_|                  
      V   V   SSSS   OOO   PPPP                 \__      |_|      __/         
      V   V  S      O   O  P   P                   --____/ \____--            
      V   V   SSS   O   O  PPPP                    _ _ _ --- _ _ _            
       V V       S  O   O  P                      |_|_|_|  @|_|_|_|           
        V    SSSS    OOO   P                             o-o                  
                                                          /                   
      ***  N    E    W    S  ***                        <)                    

VSOP AO3 & RE-SCHEDULED OBSERVATIONS

In preparation for the next VSOP call for proposals, the long-term schedule through to May 2000 is being mapped out. In the near future the list of all observed and scheduled observations will be made available from the VSOP web site so that proposers will be able to start considering their options for the next round of proposals. In order to plan the long-term schedule as precisely as possible it is essential that the VSOG be informed of any VSOP observations that have been carried out but that have clearly not met the proposer's science goals. As outlined in the second Announcement of Opportunity, requests for the re-scheduling of observations should be e-mailed to the VSOP Project Scientist at vsop_ps@vsop.isas.ac.jp. Such requests should clearly describe why the science goals were not able to be met, and should be submitted as soon as possible.

VSOP -- THE MOVIE

The finishing touches have been put to a 30 minute documentary about HALCA and the VSOP program. The premiere of the English version was held during the recent meetings at ISAS. Although aimed at a non-specialist audience, the video includes some spectacular footage from the launch of HALCA and a showing of the movie is being planned for the VSOP Symposium at ISAS next January.

ISAS OPEN DAY & VSOG STAFF

Saturday 31st July was the annual ISAS Open Day. The VSOP display included the 1:10 scale model of the HALCA satellite, posters describing the results of VSOP observations, regular screenings of the VSOP movie, a specially prepared model of a galaxy with a water vapor jet shooting out from its core, PCs displaying the VSOP WWW site and running VSOP simulation software, and a "PowerPoint" general lecture about radio astronomy and VSOP. The PowerPoint display was prepared by Kobayashi-san --- and the Open Day officially marked Kobayashi-san's last day at ISAS! As of today, Kobayashi-san has joined the VSOP group at the National Astronomical Observatory in Mitaka, where his many contributions to the VSOP project over the last ten years at ISAS have been recognized by his promotion to Associate Professor.

VSOP INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Thanks to all those who have submitted Expressions of Interest for the VSOP Symposium. These have been very valuable in directing the planning for the meeting and in starting to draft the scientific program. The second announcement for the symposium will be distributed at the end of this week.

                Editors: Phil Edwards and Hirax Hirabayashi