Final Steps Underway for NASA’s First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission
1/16/2026

NASA teams are currently finalizing the critical preparations for Artemis II, marking the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. Engineers are conducting integrated systems testing on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to certify readiness for launch. The mission will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, gathering essential data on life support and spacecraft performance to establish the groundwork for sustained future lunar exploration.

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Flight Engineers Give NASA’s Dragonfly Lift
1/16/2026

The Dragonfly mission to Saturn's moon Titan has achieved a significant milestone as flight engineers successfully tested the rotorcraft's lifting capabilities. This nuclear-powered drone is designed to fly autonomously over Titan's organic-rich dunes and impact craters. The recent tests verified the vehicle's aerodynamic performance under simulated conditions, ensuring it can effectively navigate the dense atmosphere and low gravity of the icy moon upon its scheduled arrival in the mid-2030s.

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What Powers the Sun’s Most Violent Flares? Scientists Finally Have an Answer
1/16/2026

Researchers at NJIT have identified a previously unknown population of extremely energetic particles in the Sun’s upper atmosphere that are responsible for the powerful gamma rays released during solar flares. By analyzing data from a massive 2017 flare, the team discovered that these particles are trapped in magnetic loops and accelerated to nearly the speed of light. This finding resolves a long-standing mystery about how solar flares generate such extreme radiation.

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2026-01-18 19:52
New Moon, lunation 1275

2026-01-20
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at perihelion (0.57 au)

2026-01-23
Start of Carrington Rotation 2307

2026-01-25 18:10
Titan begins transit across Saturn (~3 hours duration)

2026-01-26
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) at brightest (mag 7.2)

2026-01-26 04:47
First Quarter

2026-01-27 22:00
Moon in Pleiades

2026-01-31 02:00
Jupiter 4° south of Moon

2026-02-15
Uranus at Eastern Quadrature

2026-02-17
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) closest to Earth (1.01 au)

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.