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Solar Maximum Reached
10/16/2024

NASA LogoIn a conference today NASA, NOAA, and the International Solar Cycle Prediction Panel announced that the Sun is in its solar maximum period where sunspots, flares, and other activity are at their greatest. This period will last approximately a year according to scientists. Such activity can lead to aurora, such as those seen deep into the continental US last week. Scientists will not be able to determine the exact peak of this solar maximum period for many months because it's only identifiable after they've tracked a consistent decline in solar activity after that peak.


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Jupiter's Turbulent GRS
10/9/2024

NASA logoThe Hubble Space Telescope focused on Jupiter's iconic Great Red Spot for the first three months of this year. The scientists found that the storm is jiggling like gelatin, squeezing in and out at the same time as it moves faster and slower. UV observations also demonstrated that the core is brightest when the spot is at its greatest size during the oscillations.


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Check the Events Calendar
All Times are in Universal Time (UT)

2024-10-19 21:00
Moon 0.2° north of Pleiades

2024-10-21
Orionid meteor shower

2024-10-24 08:03
Last Quarter Moon

2024-11-01 12:47
New Moon (lunation 1260)

2024-11-04 01:00
Antares 0.08° north of Moon, occultation Indonesia

2024-11-09 05:55
First Quarter Moon

2024-11-11 02:00
Saturn 0.09° south of Moon, occultation Polynesia to Azores

2024-11-12
Equinox - Northern Spring/Southern Autumn;NPH breaking up

2024-11-15 21:29
Full Moon

2024-11-16
Leonid meteor shower

Learn about the ALPO

The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) is an international organization devoted to study the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets. Our goals are to stimulate, coordinate, and generally promote the study of these bodies using methods and instruments that are available within the communities of both amateur and professional astronomers.

The ALPO collects and analyzes observations of various Solar System bodies and associated phenomena and publishes detailed reports concerning these bodies in its quarterly publication the Journal ALPO, otherwise known as The Strolling Astronomer. Membership in the ALPO includes receiving our journal, and back issues can be found in our Publications section.

We welcome and provide services for all individuals interested in lunar and planetary astronomy. For the novice observer, the ALPO is a place to learn and to enhance observational techniques. For the advanced amateur astronomer, it is a place where one's work will count. For the professional astronomer, it is a resource where group studies or systematic observing patrols add to the advancement of astronomy. Further details about the ALPO can be found here.

There are a range of membership levels available starting with annual dues of only $22. See the footer below for links on how you can become a member today.

The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) is an international organization devoted to study of the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets. Celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2022, our goals are to stimulate, coordinate, and promote the study of these bodies using methods and resources available to both amateur and professional astronomers.

The science of astronomy has never been more exciting or dynamic than it is today - for the novice observer, the ALPO is a place to learn and enhance one’s observational techniques. For the advanced amateur astronomer, it is a place where one's work will matter. And for the professional astronomer, it is a resource where group studies or systematic observing patrols add to the advancement of astronomy.

ALPO members range from enthusiastic individuals with the desire to pursue an initial interest in astronomy to advanced amateurs to professional astronomers deeply involved in lunar and planetary astronomy.

Becoming a member is easy, and we welcome you to join us as we explore and learn more about this vast universe we all call home. Simply select one of the options below to get started.

Paying Online

Please use this link to purchase your membership online via PayPal.

Paying by Mail

Download and complete the ALPO Membership form following the instruction on the form