feature: function to pull reference points

[andybeet]

PRs into dev contained all info we needed. If you've got this far we're in good shape!

List PRs

List the PRs that made it into dev that are waiting to be pulled into main:

• PR Feature/i62 get ref points #63 which fixes [Feature]: get reference points #62

Release notes

• updated NEWS.md
• updated DESCRIPTION

Types of changes

What types of changes does code introduce? Put an x in the boxes that apply.
This will inform the new release number.

• Bugfix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)
• New feature (non-breaking change which adds functionality)
• Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to not work as expected)
• Documentation Update (if none of the other choices apply)

Reviewer instructions:

The PRs should already have been reviewed.
Nothing to do. The automated tests should be sufficient