a.l.p.o. why we have conventions, conferences, and meetings by matthew will alpo secretary and...

A.L.P.O.A.L.P.O.Why We Have Why We Have Conventions, Conferences, Conventions, Conferences, and Meetingsand Meetings

ByBy

Matthew WillMatthew Will

ALPO Secretary and TreasurerALPO Secretary and Treasurer

The ALPO of TodayThe ALPO of Today

The 2011 ALPO The 2011 ALPO Conference here in Las Conference here in Las Cruces will be the Cruces will be the 62nd 62nd meetingmeeting of its kind of its kind over the last 55 years.over the last 55 years.

The ALPO itself has The ALPO itself has always been a always been a forumforum for amateur and for amateur and professional professional astronomers interested astronomers interested in Solar System in Solar System astronomy.astronomy.


Today’s ALPO Today’s ALPO members are members are active in our active in our observing observing programs. programs.

They read about They read about analyses from their analyses from their observations in the observations in the Journal ALPOJournal ALPO, ,


Utilize the Utilize the ALPO web ALPO web sitesite for assistance for assistance and guidance with and guidance with observations, andobservations, and

Exchange Exchange perspectives on perspectives on lunar and planetary lunar and planetary astronomy through astronomy through email and ALPO email and ALPO blogsblogs

The ALPO of The ALPO of YesteryearYesteryear

In 1956, the ALPO had its first every In 1956, the ALPO had its first every annual meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona.annual meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The 9 year old astronomical organization The 9 year old astronomical organization by this time had earned not only by this time had earned not only a a following of loyal membersfollowing of loyal members but had but had established itself as established itself as a focal point for a focal point for serious amateur observationserious amateur observation of the Solar of the Solar System through its observing programs.System through its observing programs.

Solar System Solar System Astronomy Anyone ?Astronomy Anyone ?

While ALPO had its While ALPO had its JournalJournal otherwise otherwise known as known as The The Strolling AstronomerStrolling Astronomer, , as its main outlet, as its main outlet, the organization the organization lacked the face-to-lacked the face-to-face contact local face contact local astronomy clubs had.astronomy clubs had.

Credit Dennis Milon, Credit Dennis Milon, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


With limitations of mail With limitations of mail and long distance phone and long distance phone calls, it was thought that calls, it was thought that a meeting of several a meeting of several days with days with multiple multiple presentationspresentations, , personal personal contactscontacts, and , and exposure exposure to a variety subject to a variety subject mattermatter could make for a could make for a very enriching very enriching experience for the experience for the budding amateur of the budding amateur of the mid 20mid 20thth Century. Century.


Thus the ALPO Thus the ALPO Convention, Convention, Conference, or Conference, or Annual Meeting Annual Meeting was born !was born !

Today’s Presentation!Today’s Presentation!

Today I will discuss why we have Today I will discuss why we have ALPO annual meetings, especially ALPO annual meetings, especially in this day and age of mass and in this day and age of mass and fast communications.fast communications.

And a little bit of history behind And a little bit of history behind our annual meetings.our annual meetings.

What is the A.L.P.O.?What is the A.L.P.O.?

An international An international group of group of individuals that individuals that study the sun, study the sun, moon, planets, moon, planets, asteroids, meteors, asteroids, meteors, and comets and and comets and other topics of other topics of study that relate to study that relate to Solar System Solar System astronomy.astronomy.

Our Goals Are To…Our Goals Are To…

stimulate, stimulate, coordinate, and coordinate, and generally promote generally promote the study of these the study of these bodies bodies

using using methodsmethods and and instrumentsinstruments that are that are available within the available within the communities of both communities of both amateur and amateur and professional professional astronomers.astronomers.

We welcome and provide services We welcome and provide services for all individuals interested in lunar for all individuals interested in lunar and planetary astronomy.and planetary astronomy.

For the For the novice observernovice observer, the A.L.P.O. is a place , the A.L.P.O. is a place to learn and to enhance observational to learn and to enhance observational techniques.techniques.

For the For the advanced amateur astronomeradvanced amateur astronomer, it is a , it is a place where one's work will count through place where one's work will count through participation in observing programs.participation in observing programs.

For the For the professional astronomerprofessional astronomer, it is a , it is a resource where group studies or systematic resource where group studies or systematic observing patrols add to the advancement of observing patrols add to the advancement of astronomy. astronomy.

ALPO Sections & ALPO Sections & ProgramsPrograms

The A.L.P.O. has a The A.L.P.O. has a kkaalleeiiddoossccooppee of of different programs related to Solar different programs related to Solar System astronomy managed by up to System astronomy managed by up to 1919 separate sections. separate sections.

All Solar System bodies and All Solar System bodies and phenomena are covered by phenomena are covered by coordinators that manage these coordinators that manage these sections.sections.

Section CoordinatorsSection Coordinators

Collect and study submitted Collect and study submitted observationsobservations

Correspond with Correspond with observersobservers

Encourage Encourage beginnersbeginners, and, and

Contribute Contribute reportsreports to our to our Journal Journal at at appropriate intervals.appropriate intervals.


Our mission and all of Our mission and all of the elements that make the elements that make up the ALPO have not up the ALPO have not changed in 64 years as changed in 64 years as the ALPO has always the ALPO has always been a vibrant been a vibrant organization in that organization in that regard.regard.

What has changed is the What has changed is the ability for ALPO members ability for ALPO members living vast distances living vast distances apart from one another, apart from one another, to to communicate almost communicate almost instantaneouslyinstantaneously, using , using email and the World email and the World Wide Web.Wide Web.

The Early ALPOThe Early ALPO

But in the early years, But in the early years, that was a far different that was a far different world…world…

The fledglings ALPO The fledglings ALPO produced produced The Strolling The Strolling AstronomerAstronomer as a as a mimeograph in its first mimeograph in its first few years.few years.

The publication had The publication had managed to publish managed to publish lunar and planetary lunar and planetary drawings by February of drawings by February of 1950.1950.


It wasn’t until 1953 It wasn’t until 1953 that that The Strolling The Strolling AstronomerAstronomer achieved the achieved the professional print professional print quality look to it quality look to it resembling an resembling an established established journal.journal.


Still with all of these advancements, Still with all of these advancements, the ALPO, with its the ALPO, with its JournalJournal, could not be , could not be a total substitute for human contact.a total substitute for human contact.

The ALPO was growing, to 350 The ALPO was growing, to 350 members by 1953. A personal contact members by 1953. A personal contact would be helpful in the editor would be helpful in the editor understanding his readers and vice-understanding his readers and vice-versa. versa.

The ALPO’s First The ALPO’s First Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting

“…“…we would like to we would like to voice a hope for the voice a hope for the future – that some future – that some day we will have day we will have A.L.P.O. Conventions A.L.P.O. Conventions and shall get to and shall get to know each other know each other better.”better.”

Walter H. Haas, from Walter H. Haas, from The StrollingThe Strolling Astronomer Astronomer in 1953in 1953

Photo credit, Frank Delaney, Sky & Photo credit, Frank Delaney, Sky & TelescopeTelescope

The ALPO’s FirstThe ALPO’s FirstAnnual MeetingAnnual Meeting

That dream became a reality in 1956.That dream became a reality in 1956.

The Western Amateur Astronomers, a US The Western Amateur Astronomers, a US group adept at organizing conventions group adept at organizing conventions since 1949, went in with the ALPO to since 1949, went in with the ALPO to jointly host this convention.jointly host this convention.

The venue would be Flagstaff, Arizona. The venue would be Flagstaff, Arizona.


This convention would follow a formula or This convention would follow a formula or format that would repeat itself in coming format that would repeat itself in coming years.years.

Separate ALPO Separate ALPO technical paper sessionstechnical paper sessions that that establishes a more in depth establishes a more in depth scientific perspective to the convention.scientific perspective to the convention.

The larger The larger partner organizationpartner organization and/or local and/or local society shoulders the burden of coordinating society shoulders the burden of coordinating the basic logistics.the basic logistics.


Both meeting organizations benefit from their Both meeting organizations benefit from their mutual presence in mutual presence in attracting new membersattracting new members..

Planned Planned field tripsfield trips to interesting sites near to interesting sites near the meeting place enhanced interest to the meeting place enhanced interest to travel to these meetings.travel to these meetings.

The meeting concludes with a The meeting concludes with a banquet, banquet, awards presentation, and after banquet awards presentation, and after banquet presentationpresentation..


The first meeting that the ALPO The first meeting that the ALPO participated in ran from participated in ran from Wednesday, August 29 through Wednesday, August 29 through Saturday, September 1, 1956.Saturday, September 1, 1956.


Paper sessions were Paper sessions were held at a local high held at a local high school auditorium in school auditorium in Flagstaff, with the Flagstaff, with the banquet Thursday banquet Thursday evening. The “after evening. The “after dinner” speaker was dinner” speaker was Dr. Otto Struve who Dr. Otto Struve who also received the also received the WAA’s G. Bruce Blair WAA’s G. Bruce Blair Award later that Award later that evening. evening.

Credit, Jack Eastman, Credit, Jack Eastman, Journal Journal A.L.P.O.A.L.P.O.


Visits to other sites Visits to other sites such as a star such as a star party at Lowell party at Lowell Observatory and Observatory and a field trip to a field trip to Meteor Crater Meteor Crater filled out filled out convention convention activities.activities.

Credit, Sky & TelescopeCredit, Sky & Telescope


Actually, while the Actually, while the WAA had primary WAA had primary control of the control of the logistics, the logistics, the convention was co-convention was co-chaired by two ALPO chaired by two ALPO people, Tom Cave people, Tom Cave and Tom Cragg.and Tom Cragg.

The Caves left, and the Craggs The Caves left, and the Craggs right, credit, L. J. Robinson, right, credit, L. J. Robinson, Sky Sky & Telescope& Telescope


Over 260 attendees, 120 of which were Over 260 attendees, 120 of which were ALPO members, met at this ALPO members, met at this convention.convention.

Credit, Fronske Studio, Credit, Fronske Studio, Sky & TelescopeSky & Telescope


ALPO papers ALPO papers included timely included timely papers from papers from Clyde Tombaugh Clyde Tombaugh and Chick Capen and Chick Capen concerning the concerning the geology of Mars geology of Mars and observational and observational techniques with techniques with color filters.color filters.

Tombaugh left, Capen right, courtesy Tombaugh left, Capen right, courtesy Don C. Jardine Don C. Jardine


Other papers Other papers discussed lunar discussed lunar topics by David topics by David P. Barcroft, P. Barcroft, Steadman Steadman Thompson, and Thompson, and John Westfall (in John Westfall (in picture).picture).

Credit: Jack Eastman, Credit: Jack Eastman, Journal Journal A.L.P.O.A.L.P.O.


Other section papers by various “recorders” Other section papers by various “recorders” for Saturn, Venus, Uranus, and Neptune.for Saturn, Venus, Uranus, and Neptune.

And many member generated papers And many member generated papers regarding observing techniques.regarding observing techniques.

Also the BAA was also represented with Also the BAA was also represented with papers from Patrick Moore and H.P. Wilkins.papers from Patrick Moore and H.P. Wilkins.

All told 15 ALPO papers were presented on All told 15 ALPO papers were presented on the last day of the conference.the last day of the conference.

ALPO Meetings ALPO Meetings at a Glanceat a Glance

62 meetings have been held since 62 meetings have been held since 1956.1956.

In years 1958, 1960, 1961, 1967, In years 1958, 1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, and 1996, had two 1968, and 1996, had two meetings usually in the summer, meetings usually in the summer, at diverse geographic locations.at diverse geographic locations.


The ALPO has either been hosted or met with The ALPO has either been hosted or met with other groups, sometimes multiple groups, at 53 other groups, sometimes multiple groups, at 53 meetings.meetings.

Some of these organizations have been:Some of these organizations have been: - Astronomical League, 35 times- Astronomical League, 35 times - WAA, 22 times- WAA, 22 times - AAVSO, 9 times- AAVSO, 9 times - Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 4 times- Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 4 times - International Occultation Timing Assoc., 4 times- International Occultation Timing Assoc., 4 times - Royal Astronomical Soc. Canada, 3 times- Royal Astronomical Soc. Canada, 3 times


The ALPO has either met by itself The ALPO has either met by itself or been hosted by a local or been hosted by a local astronomical society 9 times.astronomical society 9 times.

3 of those times in Las Cruces, 3 of those times in Las Cruces, with today’s meeting being the with today’s meeting being the fourth.fourth.


ALPO has met outside the US 3 times, ALPO has met outside the US 3 times, twice in Canada and once in Mexico.twice in Canada and once in Mexico.

We have met in California more often We have met in California more often than any state in the US, with 16 than any state in the US, with 16 different meetings.different meetings.

We have met in the Southwest more We have met in the Southwest more than any other region in the US, 29 than any other region in the US, 29 times.times.


In terms of metropolitan areas, the ALPO In terms of metropolitan areas, the ALPO has met:has met:- In the Los Angles area at various - In the Los Angles area at various venues venues 8 times.8 times.

- In the San Francisco Bay area and - In the San Francisco Bay area and Las Las Cruces, NM area, 4 times each.Cruces, NM area, 4 times each.

- In Tucson, AZ, 3 times.- In Tucson, AZ, 3 times.


Places were we have been scarcePlaces were we have been scarce- The South (6)- The South (6)- The East (8)- The East (8)- Pacific Northwest (2)- Pacific Northwest (2)

Places were we have never beenPlaces were we have never been- Texas- Texas- New England- New England- North Central US- North Central US

ALPO Members vs. ALPO Members vs. Meeting SitesMeeting Sites

Blue Dots = Meetings Blue Dots = Meetings before 1990before 1990

Red Dots = Meetings 1990 Red Dots = Meetings 1990 or lateror later

Red = 21 to 30 membersRed = 21 to 30 membersOrange = 16 to 20 Orange = 16 to 20

membersmembersYellow = 11 to 15 Yellow = 11 to 15

membersmembersGreen = 6 to 10 membersGreen = 6 to 10 membersWhite = 5 or less membersWhite = 5 or less membersBlue = NoneBlue = None

The Las Cruces The Las Cruces MeetingsMeetings

There were 3 meetings in Las Cruces There were 3 meetings in Las Cruces over the years, in 1968, 1993, 1997, over the years, in 1968, 1993, 1997, and our present one today.and our present one today.

These meetings probably exemplify These meetings probably exemplify the best attributes of ALPO meetings the best attributes of ALPO meetings and and the need to still have these the need to still have these meetings even in the age of the meetings even in the age of the internet.internet.

The Las Cruces The Las Cruces MeetingsMeetingsThese attributes are:These attributes are:

ALPO Staff could ALPO Staff could deliver their data and deliver their data and findings in personfindings in person, and not just , and not just remotely though the remotely though the Journal.Journal.

Presences of ALPO speakers at the Presences of ALPO speakers at the conventions give attendees conventions give attendees frequent frequent opportunities to interactopportunities to interact..

The Las Cruces The Las Cruces MeetingsMeetings

A chance to be A chance to be familiar with topicsfamiliar with topics not not normally encountered or easily normally encountered or easily understood in amateur astronomy.understood in amateur astronomy.

An opportunity to An opportunity to meet others with meet others with similar interest and challengessimilar interest and challenges in in amateur astronomy – seeing old amateur astronomy – seeing old friends and making new ones.friends and making new ones.

And the occasional surprise!And the occasional surprise!

The Las Cruces The Las Cruces MeetingsMeetingsOur first meeting in the Las Cruces area was Our first meeting in the Las Cruces area was

actually at the campus of New Mexico State actually at the campus of New Mexico State University in August of 1968.University in August of 1968.

The meeting was part of a SW Region The meeting was part of a SW Region Astronomical League convention.Astronomical League convention.

The First The First Las Cruces MeetingLas Cruces Meeting

Credit: Leonard Jefferson, Credit: Leonard Jefferson, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.

The convention was hosted by the Astronomical Society The convention was hosted by the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces and also had the WAA in attendance.of Las Cruces and also had the WAA in attendance.

Approximately 300 attendees flocked to Las Cruces.Approximately 300 attendees flocked to Las Cruces.


This convention must have had a high profile with This convention must have had a high profile with the Las Cruces community for the NMSU President the Las Cruces community for the NMSU President and Commander of White Sands Missile Range and Commander of White Sands Missile Range were there to greet attendees at opening were there to greet attendees at opening ceremonies.ceremonies.

Credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


Phil Budine (left), Wini Cameron (right), credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Phil Budine (left), Wini Cameron (right), credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.

Several well known present and future Several well known present and future ALPO recorders (coordinators) spoke at ALPO recorders (coordinators) spoke at this convention.this convention.


Credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Credit, Frederick W. Jaeger, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.

And there were numerous opportunities And there were numerous opportunities to meet and converse with speakers and to meet and converse with speakers and other convention attendees.other convention attendees.


This convention had one unique surprise. It was the This convention had one unique surprise. It was the only convention to have ever had a comet discovered only convention to have ever had a comet discovered by its attendees, Pat Clayton and John Bally-Urban. by its attendees, Pat Clayton and John Bally-Urban. Naturally, this 11Naturally, this 11thth magnitude comet near the Ring magnitude comet near the Ring Nebula was named Comet Bally-Clayton 1968d and Nebula was named Comet Bally-Clayton 1968d and confirmed the night of the banquet.confirmed the night of the banquet.

(Left to right), Mark Whitaker, Pat Clayton, and John Bally-Urban, credit, Jack (Left to right), Mark Whitaker, Pat Clayton, and John Bally-Urban, credit, Jack Eastman.Eastman.

The 1993 The 1993 Las Cruces MeetingLas Cruces Meeting

The ALPO met again in Las Cruces in 1993. The ALPO met again in Las Cruces in 1993. The organization would this time, meet by The organization would this time, meet by itself from August 5itself from August 5thth through the 7 through the 7thth, with 61 , with 61 registrants showing up.registrants showing up.

Credit, John Westfall, Credit, John Westfall, Journal of the A.L.P.O.Journal of the A.L.P.O.


The venue for paper The venue for paper sessions and sessions and accommodations accommodations was the Best was the Best Western Mission Inn Western Mission Inn in Las Cruces. The in Las Cruces. The community again community again greeted us on the greeted us on the marquee of the marquee of the “Downtown Mall”.“Downtown Mall”.

Credit, John Westfall, Credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


The topics were The topics were varied and varied and ranged from our ranged from our own founder, own founder, Walter H. Haas Walter H. Haas giving an giving an historical outline historical outline of the A.L.P.O…of the A.L.P.O…

Credit, Phil PlanteCredit, Phil Plante


……to a workshop for to a workshop for suggested observing suggested observing projects for Comet projects for Comet Shoemaker-Levy, just Shoemaker-Levy, just in case some lucky in case some lucky amateur happened amateur happened to image or observe to image or observe the comet impacting the comet impacting Jupiter. Jupiter. A surprise waiting for A surprise waiting for us months after the us months after the meeting!meeting!Credit, John Westfall, Credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


And no modern day ALPO meeting isn’t And no modern day ALPO meeting isn’t complete without the dreaded Board complete without the dreaded Board meeting!meeting!

(Left to Right) , (insert name), (insert name), (insert name), (insert name), credit , (Left to Right) , (insert name), (insert name), (insert name), (insert name), credit , former Board member.former Board member.


By this time the By this time the ALPO had its own ALPO had its own award, the award, the Walter H. Haas Walter H. Haas Observer’s Observer’s Award, this time Award, this time awarded to Jose awarded to Jose Olivarez.Olivarez.

Credit, John Westfall, Credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.OJournal A.L.P.O


And Clyde And Clyde Tombaugh gave Tombaugh gave the after banquet the after banquet talk, talk, Is There a Is There a Tenth Planet?Tenth Planet?

Credit, John Westfall,Credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O. Journal A.L.P.O.


To mark the 50To mark the 50thth anniversary of the ALPO, the anniversary of the ALPO, the organization met once more in Las Cruces. organization met once more in Las Cruces. About 45 ALPO members attended at the About 45 ALPO members attended at the Holiday Inn de Las Cruces, from June 25-29.Holiday Inn de Las Cruces, from June 25-29.

Credit, Phil PlanteCredit, Phil Plante


In addition to the In addition to the usual scientific usual scientific papers given by papers given by ALPO coordinators, ALPO coordinators, some were some were historically reflective historically reflective of past ALPO of past ALPO accomplishments.accomplishments.

Julius Benton, credit, John Westfall, Julius Benton, credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


Founder Walter Haas gave the Banquet Founder Walter Haas gave the Banquet address, aptly reflecting on the ALPO past, address, aptly reflecting on the ALPO past, present, and future. He gave his thanks for present, and future. He gave his thanks for all who have participated in the ALPO and his all who have participated in the ALPO and his insights about why it worked all those years.insights about why it worked all those years.

Credit, John Westfall, Credit, John Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.


That meeting also That meeting also introduced a new introduced a new ALPO award, the ALPO award, the Peggy Haas Service Peggy Haas Service Award, for Award, for outstanding service outstanding service to the ALPO excluding to the ALPO excluding observational work. observational work. It was fitting that It was fitting that Walter was its Walter was its inaugural recipient.inaugural recipient.

Harry Jamieson (left), credit, John Harry Jamieson (left), credit, John

Westfall, Westfall, Journal A.L.P.O.Journal A.L.P.O.

And Now And Now Today’s Meeting…Today’s Meeting…

Once more we are being Once more we are being graciously hosted again by the graciously hosted again by the Astronomical Society of Las Astronomical Society of Las Cruces.Cruces.

And in nearly the same location And in nearly the same location as that first meeting.as that first meeting.

And Now And Now Today’s Meeting…Today’s Meeting…

Let us begin as we Let us begin as we have done before have done before and to all those and to all those who have done in who have done in the past… the past… we have we have you as an example you as an example to emulateto emulate..

Let the 2011 ALPO Let the 2011 ALPO Conference begin!Conference begin!

Special Thanks To…Special Thanks To…

John & Beth WestfallJohn & Beth Westfall Thomas WilliamsThomas Williams Don JardineDon Jardine

a.l.p.o. why we have conventions, conferences, and meetings by matthew will alpo secretary and...

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