Welcome to the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers
ALPO Announcements
From Dr. John Rogers at the BAA: “A pair of AWOs in the northern NEB, due N of the GRS, have interacted
rapidly in the last two days - observations are needed urgently! The
larger oval is temporarily named WS-C/E, as it formed by merger of WS-C
and WS-E at the start of September. The smaller one (now greatly
distorted) was a new, unnamed one that appeared since then.”Jupiter Alert!
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Solar Maximum Reached
10/16/2024
In 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.
Read More
Jupiter's Turbulent GRS
10/9/2024
The 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.
Read More
Check the Events Calendar
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
2024-11-16
Mercury at greatest eastern (evening) elongation
2024-11-16 08:00
Moon in Pleiades
2024-11-20
Mercury at highest altitude in evening sky
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.
Please use this link to purchase your membership online via PayPal.
Download and complete the ALPO Membership form following the instruction on the form