Salam ! I apologize that I do not know more Farsi. As President of the worldwide International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), I welcome you to the first meeting of the Middle East Section of IOTA, the newest section of our organization ! This will be a joyous opportunity to learn about occultations, to share ideas and experiences with other observers, and to make new friends. It is an exciting agenda that I’m sure you will find interesting, and will encourage you to watch the sky’s dynamic phenomena. Let the workshop begin!

D.Dunham

Hello, my name is David Gault 

I’m delighted to be involved with this inaugural workshop for the International Occultation Timing Association – MIDDLE EAST section. 

I wish to extend a warm welcome to all attendees of this workshop. I promise to do my best to present interesting topics and I hope you in turn make the most of the opportunity to learn new skills to become an active occultation observer. 

I have been observing occultation events for 10 years now and I know that scientifically based observations, whether it be a total lunar disappearance or reappearance, a lunar grazing occultation or an asteroid occultation, yield the highest quality data when two or more observers, observe the same event but from different sites. Good teamwork and communications are the keys to great successes in this endeavor. 

So, I hope this workshop is the foundation for a new team of observers who might work together on observation projects in the Middle East. I certainly promise to work with Mr. Atila Poro and members of NAJMA to ensure that they are aware of the best methods and techniques involving occultations, so that good event predictions are produced, efficient observation plans are developed, good observations are made, and correct analyses and reports are submitted to IOTA.

Thanks very much and I hope you have a pleasant workshop. Bye for now.

David Gault