Each telescope has its own peculiarities, so you must be trained and authorized separately for each facility. Just because you've been checked out on the C-14 does not mean you know how to use the C-10 (although they are similar enough that it will be easy to learn the latter). The user list will keep note of who has been trained on which instrument.

``Visiting observers'' are welcome to join an authorized user at his or her discretion. The authorized user is nonetheless responsible for the actions of his or her guests.

Caltech students, staff, or faculty who wish to become authorized users should follow these steps:

• If you have little or no familiarity with small telescopes, you should have someone teach you. Befriend an amateur astronomer, or ask one of the authorized users to show you the ropes. Having some actual observing time under your belt is a good idea.

• If you are already familiar with small scopes, a quick overview of the particulars of our scopes should suffice. Ask a director or one of the authorized users.

• Read the User Manuals, and be familiar with all the procedures described therein. Pay particular attention to the list of "Warnings" in the documentation -- these are key points which you ignore at your peril.

• Make an appointment with one of the directors for an authorization test. You will be asked to describe and demonstrate your understanding of the procedures. Once you have satisfied us that you know what you're doing, and you sign the authorization agreement form, you'll be added to the list of users.

JPL users must be members of the JPL Astronomy Club. The current officer is David Nakamoto, din@blankreg.jpl.nasa.gov. The Club will handle its own authorization list and procedure, although all JPL users should be familiar with the User Manual. The only additional requirements the club places on access to the Caltech observatory are:

• The user must become a member of the JPL Astronomy Club.

• The user must go to the observatory with an authorized club member to teach him/her the ropes, and insure that the new user is familiar with and adheres to the rules and procedures of the observatory.

• JPL users must always surrender the use of the scope to Caltech faculty and students if the latter show up to use the scope.