Sub-group on the Densification of the Optical Frame
                       Newsletter 3
                      September 4, 2002

Dear Colleagues,

  As I am sure many of you have heard, Christian de Vegt passed away 
July 12, 2002 following an apparent heart a few weeks prior.  He was
a good friend and colleague to many of us. 

  My inquiry in designating a few selected regions that programs would
voluntarily try to observe did not prove fruitful.  Most of the 
respondents indicated that it was a good idea, it has been tried in the 
past, but most observatories would probably not participate.  Hence, I 
am shelving the topic for the present time. 


Several projects have been progressing; updates are given under the
"Projects" page on the website, whose address is found below.
I invite each of you to review this website, since this is
the main source for distributing information about committee members and
important projects.  As always, I am open to suggestions about the 
website, including posting news on other projects which may be 
important to the group. 

The following has changed under the "Projects" page since the last newsletter:

  1) The UCAC description has been updated.  The telescope is now at
     Flagstaff, Arizona.  A second preliminary catalog will be released.
  2) An update on the status of FAME is given.
  3) The DIVA satellite news page has been added.
  4) Announcement of the Tycho Double Star Catalogue is made.
  5) Availability of the CMC12 is described.



                                 Sincerely,

                                 Sean Urban
                                 U.S. Naval Observatory
                                 September 4, 2002