BIG BANG BEEPER: NEW ASTRO-ALERT SYSTEM FOR STARGAZERS

BIG BANG BEEPER: NEW ASTRO-ALERT SYSTEM FOR STARGAZERS

BOSTON (Wireless Flash) -- Astronomers now have a sort-of Big Bang beeper to alert them of strange activity in the heavens. The new system -- called AstroAlert -- sends professional and amateur stargazers an urgent e-mail message whenever there's unusual activity in the galaxy. The free system was created by "Sky & Telescope" magazine to provide a way to alert astronomers into manning their telescopes at a moment's notice. Editor Richard Fienberg expects most of the space notifications will involve harmless events, but if an asteroid is spotted hurtling toward Earth, folks on AstroAlert will be the first to know. You can sign up for AstroAlert at http://www.skypub.com/news/astroalert/astroalert.html

CONTACT: Richard Fienberg, ****; Arrange with Irene Szewczuk; Boston, MA; (617) 864-7360, ext. 127