Beginning with the 1998 January Astronomical Journal, the 1998 June 10 Astrophysical Journal (Parts 1 and 2), and the 1998 July Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, the journals will be printed on matte coated paper stock, making separate plate sections unnecessary. The material formerly found in the plate section at the end of each issue will be included within the text of each article. The Astrophysical Journal Letters will continue to be limited to four journal pages of text, tables, and figures (including what were previously called plates).

    FAR ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPIC EXPLORER
    GUEST INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM

The NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for the Far-Ultraviolet
Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) Cycle 1 Guest Investigator Program
has been released.  The NRA, electronic proposal template, and
other information of interest to prospective proposers are
available at:

        http://fusewww.gsfc.nasa.gov/fuse/

Letters of intent are due 9 April 1998, but are not required to
propose for observing time.  Full proposals are due 8 May 1998.

Please note that on 16 March 1998 an updated version of the FUSE
Observer's Guide (V1.1) was posted on the FUSE Science Center
web site:

        http://fuse.pha.jhu.edu/

NASA has recently decided to reschedule the FUSE launch from
October 1998 to February/March 1999.  This change does not effect
the Cycle 1 proposal deadlines.

   ADDITIONS TO MEETING CALENDAR

These meetings were not included in the March Newsletter's
Calendar.

Second International LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) Symposium
6-9 July 1998 -- Caltech, Pasadena, CA
Abstract Deadline: May 1, 1998.
Contact: Bill Folkner (William.Folkner@jpl.nasa.gov)
http://sideshow.jpl.nasa.gov/lisa

9th Annual Maryland October Astrophysics Conference
"After the Dark Ages: When Galaxies Were Young (the Universe at 2)

Dear Colleague:

   NASA has approved development of a Wide Field
Camera 3 (WFC3) for installation in the HST on the 2002 Servicing
Mission.  A Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) is being established
to ensure that the broad interests of the scientific community are
represented in the development of WFC3.  The primary task of the SOC will
be to advise the HST Project and STScI in all areas of scientific
performance of WFC3.  We would like to invite you to participate in
the development of the WFC3 by applying for membership on the SOC.

        The WFC3, which is described in more detail in
http://www.stsci.edu/ftp/instrument_news/WFC3/wfc3.html will be built as
a facility instrument.  It is intended to be a replacement for the WFPC2 to
ensure that the HST will continue to have superb imaging capabilities
throughout its lifetime, recently extended to the year 2010.

        A team of scientists and engineers from within the HST Project
at GSFC and from the STScI will be responsible for the day to day
activities associated with the WFC3 project.  This team will be led by an
Instrument Scientist and an Instrument Manager, both from GSFC, and an
Operations Scientist from STScI.

The SOC will provide broad scientific oversight and guidance
to the WFC3 project.  In particular, it is expected that the SOC will
define the key scientific objectives achievable by WFC3, within the
constraints of its main characteristics, e.g., optical configuration
and detectors.  The SOC will

a) define the key scientific goals for WFC3, in particular, define a
representative set of scientific programs to be used in the
development of a Design Reference Mission.

b) define the main scientific success criteria for WFC3, and help
determine the technical trade-offs and assess performance against these
criteria.

c) recommend the set of filters to be incorporated in the WFC3 for the
optimal execution of the scientific program (broad community input will be
sought as part of the  SOC's deliberations on this issue).

d) participate in the selection of the flight and spare detectors,
including the trade-offs of the performance parameters (QE,
read-noise, cosmetics, etc.) and scientific objectives.

e) assist in the prioritization of major operational modes.

f)  participate in the major project reviews.

     It is expected that the SOC will meet an average of 3 to 4 times each
year.  Since WFC3 is to be built as a facility class instrument, there will
be no guaranteed observing time for the  SOC members or any other scientist.
Travel and incidental expenses will be covered,  but we expect the members of
the SOC to be willing to serve on this committee as a service to the
astronomical community and as their representatives.

        We invite scientists interested in participating in the SOC to submit
a short (2-3 pages maximum) letter with their personal qualifications and a
description of their expertise in the scientific and technical areas
associated with the WFC3, outlining the contributions they expect to make to
the successful completion of the project.  The letter should be sent to Dr.
Duccio Macchetto at the STScI by April 30, 1998.

        The SOC members will be selected by a peer-review panel at the
Institute, whose task  will be to evaluate the qualifications and the
scientific merits of the proposed contributions.  The SOC will be selected so
as to ensure that a broad range of astronomical disciplines and technical
expertise are represented.  The SOC will be formally appointed by the NASA
Program Scientist for HST, E. Weiler and it will report jointly to the STScI
Director and to the HST Project Scientist. The HST Program Scientist,the HST
Project Scientist and the STScI Director will be invited to be present
during  the discussions and deliberations of the SOC.  The  SOC will work
closely with and provide advise to the WFC3 Instrument Scientist and the
Operations Scientist.

        We hope you will take an interest in participating in the scientific
oversight of the WFPC3.

  Sincerely,

  Robert Williams                    Duccio Macchetto
  Director               Associate Director for Science Programs