On Saturday, March 25, join hundreds of millions of people around the world and turn off your lights for one hour to show your commitment to the planet, the starry night sky and our collective fight against climate change and light pollution. Participate in Globe at Night before, during and after Earth Hour (Saturday, March 25, 8:30-9:30pm local time). There’s never been a more timely and important moment for the world to stand in solidarity for the protection of our planet and the starry sky above. To learn more, visit globeatnight.org & earthhour.org.

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Are you a Master Observer?  Have you signed up for the Master Observer Network yet?  If not…  Now is the time to join with your fellow Master Observers.  This is an email list server that anyone can use to ask an astronomical question.  The questions then go out to those on the list.  We Master Observers have a wealth of experience-based knowledge and this is an opportunity to let others benefit from that knowledge.  People only see your email if you choose to respond.  If you are willing, we would like to have all of our Master Observers on the list.  Please send a note to the keeper of the list, Aaron Clevenson, at aaron@clevenson.org.  Be sure to say you want to be on the Master Observer List, and include your Master Observer number.  Thanks and welcome to the community.

Check out Outer Space Pals – Issue 3.  It may answer some of your questions.  It may create more questions. To download the file, click the “Read more” link below.

Do you have an image that is noteworthy?  Why not submit it to the 2017 Astronomical League/OPT Imaging Contest? Click “Read more” link below to download the Entry Form.

Wouldn’t it be great to be young again and to be entering amateur astronomy! Now is the time to nominate qualified young people for the Astronomical League’s Horkheimer Youth Service Awards for 2017: Horkheimer/Smith and Horkheimer D’Auria Youth Service Awards, the Horkheimer/Parker Youth Imaging Award, and the Horkheimer/O’Meara Journalism Award.

If you know a League member, 18 years or younger, who has brought amateur astronomy to your club or to the public through outreach, presentations, writing, observing, or imaging, please consider nominating that person for one of the four Horkheimer Awards.  

This year only, the deadline for the suite of Horkheimer Awards is February 15, 2017 (and not March 31, as it has been in previous years). 

In addition to receiving a check for $1750, the 2017 Horkheimer/Smith Youth Service Award winner will be treated to a trip to NEAF on April 8. 

If you are a club officer, nominate them. If you don’t, no one else will! Complete information about each award can be found at test.astroleague.org/al/awards/awards.html

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Details of this Special Observing Award are now available on the AL Website here.  Imaging the star field without the influence of the Sun’s gravity should be done before we get close to the eclipse.  So the time to get started is now.  Good Luck.  Aaron Clevenson – Coordinator

A certificate has been added to the AL Website to give to people who see the 2017 Eclipse at your Eclipse Viewing Party.

Are you planning an Eclipse Viewing Party?  The AL has a certificate that you can download, print and distribute to attendees.  It is available under the Observe option at the top of every web page.  Hover over “Observe” and a list will appear.  Select (click) Downloadable Certificates and it will be the first certificate included.

There will also soon be a web page with information about the AL’s 2017 Eclipse Special Observing Award.  It will include requirements, options, and instructions.  Watch here for an announcement.