NEWS OF INTEREST
Winter 2023 ALPO Journal Now Available!
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(January 27, 2023) We are pleased to announce the release of the Winter 2023 issue (DJALPO65-1) of the Journal of the Assn of Lunar & Planetary Observers, as usual jam-packed with useful info for the serious solar system observer. As is our usual practice, this issue is available to only ALPO members via a special download link emailed to them recently. To join the ALPO yourself (starting dues are only $22!) so you also can gain access to our latest Journal, contact Matt Will at matt.will@alpo-astronomy.org
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In this issue, you’ll find:
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In our Point of View opinion column, we present “To the Moon and Beyond!” by Journal Editor Shawn Dilles, where he writes about NASA’s Artimus-1 mission to the Moon and various lunar-oriented articles in this issue.
- A roundup of general interest news, including a great in-depth write-up about our spectacular cover image by Dan Llewellyn and unexpected death Jay Pasachoff.
- A look back at selected goings-on in the ALPO 75, 50 and 25 years ago as presented by our executive director Carl Hergenrother.
- From book reviewer Robert Garfinkle a fascinating book review of “A Treatise on Moon Maps” published between 1610 and 1910.
- From Solar Section Coordinator Rik Hill an in-depth look at Carrington Rotations 2252 thru 2255.
- From Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother, part 1 of a 2-part look-back at notable comets of 2020.
- From Lunar Domes Program Coordinator Raffaello Lena, a thorough study of the “Magmatic Chamber in the Lunar Cauchy Region”.
- From ALPO member Robert Hayes, a nice look at his sketchwork of the lunar craters Euclides and Euclides Zeta, complete with a Lunar Quadrant Map and LRO photo for comparison with Robert’s striking accuracy. (Also included are an ALPO Lunar Selected Areas Program form and associated outline charts for your own use.)
- From Mars Assistant Section Coordinator Richard Schmude, a report on photometric brightness measurements of Mars during 2020 and 2021
- From our Remote Planets Section Coordinator Richard Schmude (yet again!!), a report on Uranus and Neptune in 2020 and 2021.
- A directory of who’s who and what’s what of all things ALPO in the “ALPO Resources” section.
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These reports and those who produce and contribute to them are what make our organization so vital to observational solar system astronomy. We are extremely proud of the work they do.
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Use the various e-mail addresses and hyperlinks (in blue text) throughout this issue to instantly e-mail authors and ALPO staff members PLUS use the built-in bookmarks to jump to various papers and presentations within the Journal.
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Call for Lunar Eclipse Observation Reports, Images
(November 20, 2022) Even though the event occurred several weeks ago, everyone is asked even at this late date to submit their images, sketches, drawings and written reports of the November 6, 2022 lunar eclipse as soon as possible to the ALPO Eclipse Section Coordinator Keith Spring for use in his report to the ALPO membership in an upcoming Journal of the ALPO.
In order to make his report as scientifically valid as possible, please include as much observational data as possible including:
- Your name and exact observing location
- Exact date and time of the observation/image exposure
- Exposure timing details
- Estimate of the lunar altitude above your horizon and azimuth (direction)
- Brand and model of the imaging equipment (telescope, mount, eyepiece, camera, mobile phone camera brand and model)
- General weather conditions (ambient temperature, sky conditions, etc.)
- Your own commentary about what you observed
Send all material to:
Keith Spring
2173 John Hart Circle
Orange Park, FL 32073
E-mail address — star.man13@hotmail.com
Autumn 2022 ALPO Journal Now Available!
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(September 22, 2022) We are pleased to announce the release of the Autumn 2022 issue (DJALPO64-4) of the Journal of the Assn of Lunar & Planetary Observers, as usual jam-packed with useful info for the serious solar system observer. As is our usual practice, this issue is available to only ALPO members via a special download link emailed to them recently. To join the ALPO yourself (starting dues are only $18!) so you also can gain access to our latest Journal, contact Matt Will at matt.will@alpo-astronomy.org
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In this issue, you’ll find:
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- In our Point of View opinion column, we present “Telescopes Then and Now” by Journal Editor Shawn Dilles, where he writes about the increased size of telescopes from a generation ago up until now.
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- A roundup of general interest news, including the sudden and unexpected death of our much-beloved former Comets Section Recorder Don Machholz in early August.
- A look back at selected goings-on in the ALPO 75, 50 and 25 years ago as presented by our executive director Carl Hergenrother.
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- Minutes of the ALPO Board of Directors meeting held online July 22, 2022.
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- From Solar Section Coordinator Rik Hill an in-depth look at Carrington Rotations 2248 thru 2251.
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- From our Venus Section Coordinator Julius Benton a report on the 2020-2021 Venus apparition.
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- From Mars Assistant Section Coordinator Jim Melka a short report about a “Bright Dust in the Southern Hemisphere.”
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- From our Jupiter Section Coordinator Richard Schmude a report on the 2020-2021 Jupiter apparition.
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- From our Saturn Section Coordinator Julius Benton a report on the 2019 Saturn apparition.
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- A directory of who’s who and what’s what of all things ALPO in the “ALPO Resources” section.
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These reports and those who produce and contribute to them are what make our organization so vital to observational solar system astronomy. We are extremely proud of the work they do.
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Use the various e-mail addresses and hyperlinks (in blue text) throughout this issue to instantly e-mail authors and ALPO staff members PLUS use the built-in bookmarks to jump to various papers and presentations within the Journal.
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Spring 2022 ALPO Journal Available to ALL!
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(March 16, 2022) We are pleased to announce the release of the Spring 2022 issue (DJALPO64-2) of the Journal of the Assn of Lunar & Planetary Observers, as usual jam-packed with useful info for the serious solar system observer. Normally, only ALPO members have access to the latest four issues of our Journal. But with this issue being so special with material relating to our 75th anniversary, all are invited to download it.
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To do so, click here.
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In this issue, you’ll find:
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- In our Point of View opinion column, Shawn Dilles, editor of the JALPO, provides a great overview of just what’s included in this 100-page issue.
. - A roundup of general interest items, including news of the creation of the ALPO Endowment Trust Board, details about our next annual online conference (set for July 22 and 23), official recognition that Bill Dembowski of the Lunar Section will be leaving his position as assistant coordinator (but still remain in the ALPO) and much more.
. - An obituary noting the sad passing of Harry Jamieson, who served our organization well including as executive director among other positions.
. - Congratulatory notes from various individuals and other organizations on the ALPO’s 75th anniversary.
. - A compilation of the various ALPO members who have been honored with minor planets named for them in recognition of their contributions to astronomy and this organization.
. - A compilation of the various ALPO members who have authored books about astronomy.
. - A sampling of a few things covered in “The Strolling Astronomer” 75 years ago, 50 years ago and 25 years ago.
. - A reprint of Volume 1, Issue No. 1 of “The Strolling Astronomer” all 8 pages of it.
. - An account by Elizabeth Westfall on how “The Strolling Astronomer” was produced, from its early years as a mimeographed, type-written newsletter, through its latest days as the Journal you see today. Elizabeth should know, since she is the widow of the late and much-revered John Westfall, who served as one of this Journal’s editors and worked very closely with ALPO founder and first Journal editor Walter Haas.
. - A preview by ALPO Meteors Section Coordinator Bob Lunsford of possible increased meteor activity in May.
. - A thorough account by ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother of the well-observed comets of 2019.
. - A request for observations by ALPO Mars Section Coordinator Roger Venable and former coordinator Jeff Beish of the Mars apparition now in progress.
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These reports and those who produce and contribute to them are what make our organization so vital to observational solar system astronomy. We are extremely proud of the work they do.
.
Use the various e-mail addresses and hyperlinks (in blue text) throughout this issue to instantly e-mail authors and ALPO staff members PLUS use the built-in bookmarks to jump to various papers and presentations within the Journal.
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For information on becoming an ALPO member, please contact the ALPO membership secretary at matt.will@alpo-astronomy.org
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Please patronize the good folks who advertise in our Journal in return for their support of us:
- Sky & Telescope magazine (and its owner, the American Astronomical Society); Sky & Tel has maintained its outside back cover ad on the Journal without fail since 1960 and we look forward to many more years of this partnership.
. - Celestron Telescopes
. - The maker of both the Catseye Collimation System and Catsperch Observing Chairs
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The ALPO YouTube Channel is Now Alive!
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July 10, 2020 — In another effort to expand our online presence, ALPO Podcast Coordinator Tim Robertson has started an ALPO YouTube channel. While it’s still new, here you will find videos and content — including live streaming of events and tutorials — that support the mission of this organization. To learn more about the ALPO on our YouTube channel, click on the ALPO YouTube Channel link in the upper corner of the right sidebar on this screen.
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Publications Section Bulletin
Are you looking to see if the ALPO ever covered a special solar system event that you remember? Does your current research require specific solar system observational data by the amateur astronomy community? Click Here to go to JALPO Indexes
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Privacy Policy
Because you have the ability to order merchandise from an advertiser with a link on the ALPO website, we want you to know that your privacy is important to us. Click here for the text of our entire privacy statement.
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By Tim Robertson & Ken Poshedly,
ALPO Conference coordinators
Overview
Due to the continuing nearly worldwide quarantining caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 Conference of the ALPO will be held online on Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14. (This is to prevent a scheduling conflict with the 2021 Astronomical League Convention (ALCON 2021) which will be held in Albuquerque, NM, on August 4 thru 7, 2021.)
The ALPO conference times will be:
Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Time)
Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time).
The ALPO Conference is free and open to all via two different streaming methods:
The free online conferencing software application, Zoom.
On the ALPO YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEmixiL-d5k2Fx27Ijfk41A
Those who plan to present astronomy papers or presentations must (1) already be members of the ALPO, (2) use Zoom, and (3) have it already installed on their computer prior to the conference dates. Zoom is free and available at https://zoom.us/
Those who have not yet joined the ALPO may do so online, so as to qualify to present their work at this conference. Digital ALPO memberships start at only $18 a year. To join online, go to http://www.astroleague.org/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=39, then scroll to the bottom of that page, select your membership type, click on “Add to Cart” and proceed from there.
There will be different Zoom meeting hyperlinks to access the conference each of the two days of the conference. Both links will be posted on social media and e-mailed to those who wish to receive it that way on Thursday, August 12, 2021. The Zoom virtual (online) “meeting room” will open 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each day’s activities.
Those individuals wishing to attend via Zoom should contact Tim Robertson at cometman@cometman.net as soon as possible.
Agenda
The conference will consist of initial welcoming remarks and general announcements at the beginning each day, followed by papers and research findings on astronomy-related topics presented by ALPO members.
Following a break after the last astronomy talk on Saturday will be presentations of the Walter Haas Observing Award, the Peggy Haas Service Award and the Michael D. Reynolds Astronomy Award. The last one is brand new and was presented to Ms. Pranvera Hyseni several months ago in recognition for her work over the past several years to advance the public’s awareness and appreciation of astronomy.
A keynote speaker will then follow the awards presentations on Saturday. The selection of a keynote speaker is in progress and the final decision will be announced in the summer issue of this Journal (JALPO63-3).
Presentation Guidelines
All presentations should be no more than 15 minutes in length; the preferred method is 12 minutes for the presentation itself plus 3 minutes for follow-up questions. The preferred format is Microsoft PowerPoint.
Send all PowerPoint files of the presentations to Tim Robertson at cometman@cometman.net .
Suggested Topics
Participants are encouraged to present research papers and experience reports concerning various aspects of Earth-based observational astronomy including the following.
New or ongoing observing programs and studies, specifically, how those programs were designed, implemented and continue to function.
Results of personal or group studies of solar system or extra-solar system bodies.
New or ongoing activities involving astronomical instrumentation, construction or improvement.
Challenges faced by Earth-based observers such as changing interest levels, deteriorating observing conditions brought about by possible global warming, etc.
Information about paper presentations, the keynote speaker and other conference data will be published in this Journal and online as details are learned.