ALPO Web Page: www.lpl.arizona.edu/alpo
Exploring the Solar System With the ALPO, a
guide.
| The Association of
Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) was founded in 1947 in order to foster the
collaborative study of the solar system by professional and amateur astronomers. Amateurs
possess a resource that is not available to professionals ¾ time. The Palomar and Hubble
telescopes cannot continually monitor the planets, their satellites, comets and meteors
that are the components of our solar family. For assistance in this important work the
professionals turn to amateurs who use telescopes of high quality to maintain a continuous
record of solar system objects and the periodic changes which they undergo. The ALPO
collects and coordinates these observations, alerting professional observatories when
important events take place. We are the watchdogs of the solar system. The ALPO has sections devoted to the observation of all types of bodies found in our solar system. Section coordinators collect and study members' observations, correspond with observers, encourage beginners, and contribute reports to our Journal at appropriate intervals. The coordinators supply observing forms and other instructional materials on a cost basis to assist the observer. The ALPO publishes a quarterly Journal (The Strolling Astronomer). In it you will find the results of the many observing programs which we sponsor. The Journal contains many drawings and sketches produced by individual amateurs. It is found on the library shelves of most professional observatories. |