Announcements
Here are a few notes about
using the website:
Welcome
to the updated ALPO website! We are happy to launch this refreshed version
of our website and hope that you’ll be a frequent visitor. Our objective
is to have content that will be a resource for all observers that enjoy
studying our Solar System.
(July 31, 2024) -For those who attended this year’s ALPO 2024 Conference, THANK YOU so much to both the presenters AND the viewers, no matter whether it was via Zoom or the ALPO YouTube Channel! With 13 presenters and a total of 85 viewers over the two days, we believe we really did the amateur astronomical community proud. The conference was held July 26 and 27. And here’s another shout-out to our door prize donors — Celestron, Explore Scientific and Catseye Collimation System. (We ask that the winners of their door prizes to please take some time to write a thank-you letter (or email) to those door prize contributors.) For those who missed it: • Tim Robertson (ALPO Conference 2024 chairman) for overseeing things and making the online arrangements run so smoothly. • Matt Will (ALPO Membership Secretary/Treasurer) for his talk on the status of the organization today.
Abbreviated as “DJALPO66-3″;
this issue includes the following: • In our Point
of View opinion column, Journal Editor Shawn Dilles offers his
thoughts on how the ALPO seems lucky to see new contributors as others
back away after many years of contributing. Yep, we’re always on the
lookout for new contributors.
June 26 —The digital version of the
summer issue of the quarterly Journal of the Assn of Lunar & Planetary
Observers is now available for downloading to all paid-up members and
various research institutions. Those wishing to join the ALPO should note
that an annual membership starts at only $22. Contact Membership Secretary
Matthew Will at matthew.will@att.net
for complete details.
• A roundup of general interest news, including important
updates about several of our observing sections, news about the upcoming
summer ALPO conference and more.
The ALPO Journal
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.
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.
ALPO Awards
Since 1985 the ALPO has been recognizing the achievements of our fellow amateur and professional astronomers through our awards program. The three awards offered and their most recent recipients are noted below. Follow the links to learn more about the awards and past recipients.
Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award
2024 Winner: Robert Lunsford
The Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award is bestowed annually (generally when the ALPO meets in the summer), to an amateur astronomer for excellence in observational Solar System astronomy.
Visit the Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award page for more background on the award and a full list of recipientsPeggy Haas Service Award
2024 Winner: Robert H. Hays
The Peggy Haas Service Award was established in 1997 to recognize members of the ALPO for outstanding service to our organization.
Visit the Peggy Haas Observer’s Award page for more background on the award and a full list of recipientsMichael Reynolds Astronomy Award
2022 Winner: Scott Roberts
This award is presented to an individual for a significant contribution to popularizing astronomy, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.
Visit the Michael Reynolds Observer’s Award page for more background on the award and a full list of recipients
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