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ISSN-0039-2502 Journal of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers The Strolling Astronomer Volume 55, Number 4, Autumn 2013 Now in Portable Document Format (PDF) for Macintosh and PC-compatible computers Online and in COLOR at http://www.alpo-astronomy.org Io as it transits Jupiter, taken Inside this issue in methane light by the Hubble Space Telescope, October 21, • Minutes of the 2013 ALPO 1996, showing no signs of 2013 board meeting atmospheric extinction. See • Index to JALPO volume 53 paper by Anthony Mallama • Update on the current Mars inside. apparition • A study showing that the atmospheres of Io and Europa are transparent • ALPO observations of the remote planets in 2011 and 2012 . plus ALPO section news and much, much more! Orion Telescopes & Binoculars The Strolling Astronomer Journal of the Inside the ALPO Association of Lunar & Point of View: Coming Up – Two Years of Doing the Best I Can ..... 2 Planetary Observers ALPO Interest Section Reports The Strolling Astronomer Web Services............................................................. 3 Computing Section..................................................... 3 Volume 55, No.4, Autumn 2013 Lunar & Planetary Training Program.......................... 3 This issue published in October 2013 for distribution in both portable document format (pdf) and also hardcopy format. ALPO Observing Section Reports Mercury / Venus Transit Section ................................ 3 This publication is the official journal of the Association of Lunar & Eclipse Section........................................................... 3 Planetary Observers (ALPO). Meteors Section ......................................................... 3 Meteorites Section ..................................................... 3 The purpose of this journal is to share observation reports, opinions, Comets Section.......................................................... 4 and other news from ALPO members with other members and the Solar Section.............................................................. 4 professional astronomical community. Mercury Section ......................................................... 5 Venus Section ............................................................ 5 © 2013, Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). The Lunar Section............................................................. 7 ALPO hereby grants permission to educators, academic libraries and Mars Section .............................................................. 9 the professional astronomical community to photocopy material for Minor Planets Section ................................................ 9 educational or research purposes as required. There is no charge for Jupiter Section ......................................................... 10 these uses provided that credit is given to The Strolling Astronomer, Galilean Satellite Eclipse Timing Program ............... 10 the “JALPO” or the ALPO itself. All others must request permission Saturn Section ......................................................... 10 from the ALPO. Remote Planets Section........................................... 12 For membership or general information about the ALPO, contact: Obituary: Cecil Post.........................................12 Matthew Will Feature Stories ALPO Membership Secretary/Treasurer P.O. Box 13456 ALPO Board Meeting Minutes, July 26, 2013, Atlanta, Springfield, Illinois 62791-3456 Georgia ................................................................... 13 Index to Volume 53 (2011) of E-mail to: [email protected] The Strolling Astronomer ........................................ 20 A Preview of the 2013 – 2015 Apparition of Mars.... 24 The Atmospheres of Io and Europa Visit the ALPO online at: Are Transparent ...................................................... 33 http://www.alpo-astronomy.org ALPO Observations of the Remote Planets in 2011-2012 .......................... 41 ALPO Resources Board of Directors .................................................... 47 Publications Staff ..................................................... 47 Interest Sections ...................................................... 47 ALPO Publications ................................................... 48 ALPO Staff E-mail Directory..................................... 49 ALPO Observing Section Publications..................... 49 Other ALPO Publications ......................................... 51 Back Issues of The Strolling Astronomer ................. 51 Volume 55, No. 3, Summer 2013 Page 1 The Strolling Astronomer Inside the ALPO Member, section and activity news Association of Lunar & Point of View Planetary Observers (ALPO) Coming Up –Two Years of Doing Board of Directors Executive Director (Chair); Ken Poshedly the Best I Can Associate Director; Michael D. Reynolds Member of the Board; Julius L. Benton, Jr. By Ken Poshedly, executive director, editor & publisher Member of the Board; Sanjay Limaye The Strolling Astronomer Member of the Board; Donald C. Parker Member of the Board; Richard W. Schmude, Jr. Well, I guess it was bound to happen. After years of passing Member of the Board; John E. Westfall on accepting the top ALPO job when my turn came, I finally Member of the Board & Secretary/Treasurer; gave in and decided to give it my own best shot and serve a Matthew Will term as executive director. After all, it's not like I didn't help Founder/Director Emeritus; Walter H. Haas out already behind the scenes with all the other executive directors. So now, it's officially and publicly my turn. Publications Kind of odd, though. When I joined the ALPO for the first time Editor & Publisher: Ken Poshedly in I think 1962 at age 12, my only interest was poring through the pages of this publication – edited then by founder and Primary Observing Section & now director emeritus Walter Haas – and just wish I could do Interest Section Staff lunar sketches like the masterpieces that graced these pages back then. My crude attempts were kinda-sorta rebuffed, but (See full listing in ALPO Resources) them's the breaks. Lunar& Planetary Training Section: Timothy J. Robertson So here I am, all these years later, having rejoined in 1990 Solar Section: Kim Hay and now with plans to serve as caretaker and let a well- Mercury Section: Frank Melillo running machine keep on doing what it seems to be doing Venus Section: Julius L. Benton, Jr. pretty well – serving as the official organization for you who Mercury/Venus Transit Section: John E. Westfall are truly serious about solar system astronomy. Lunar Section: Like any chief exec who has the best interests of his Lunar Transient Phenomena; Anthony Cook organization at the forefront, I'm truly open to hearing/ Lunar Meteoritic Impact Search; Brian Cudnik reading/considering/discussing any suggestions from all of Lunar Topographical Studies & you that might result in more growth, more success, a more Selected Areas Program; Wayne Bailey better Assn of Lunar & Planetary Observers. No matter what Mars Section: Roger Venable it's about, membership, observing, fundraising, etc., I'm here Minor Planets Section: Frederick Pilcher to listen and hopefully help spread the joy. Jupiter Section: Richard W. Schmude, Jr. *********************************** Saturn Section: Julius L. Benton, Jr. Remote Planets Section: Richard W. Schmude, Jr. We’ve got a very special issue this time, with top-notch work Comets Section: Gary Kronk for you to peruse. We’ve got the usual minutes of our recent Meteors Section: Robert D. Lunsford board meeting held at ALCon 2013 in Atlanta, the index to Meteorites Section: Dolores Hill Volume 53 of this Journal, a great article on the current Mars Computing Section: Larry Owens apparition, a very well thought-out paper on the atmospheres of the Jovian satellites Io and Europa, plus of course, a Youth Section: Timothy J. Robertson scientifically rich remote planets report. Historical Section: Richard Baum Eclipse Section: Michael D. Reynolds Please note that this publication invites ALL of you to ALPO Website: Larry Owens participate with contributions of your own, whether it be a long or short paper on observing techniques, something on your own favorite solar system object, a great computer or cellphone app, or whatever you think your fellow ALPO members should know about. Page 2 Volume 55, No. 4, Autumn 2013 The Strolling Astronomer Inside the ALPO Member, section and activity news Announcing, ALPO Interest the ALPO Lapel Pin Now you can display your affiliation with our fine organi- Section Reports zation proudly with the new, colorful ALPO Lapel Pin. With bright raised gold lettering against a recessed gold Web Services sandblast finish, each pin features the pupil of the ALPO “eye” in fluorescent aqua blue. A “pinch” clasp at the rear 1 Larry Owens, section coordinator secures the pin in place. Pin dimensions are 1 /8 in. by 9 /16 in. [email protected] Free for those who hold or purchase ALPO Sponsor level memberships. Follow us on Twitter, become our friend Only $3.50 for those who hold or purchase Sustaining on FaceBook or join us on MySpace. level memberships Only $8.50 for all other ALPO members. Not available to non-ALPO members. Section Coordinators: If you need an ID for your section's blog, contact Larry Price includes shipping and handling. Owens at [email protected] Send orders to: ALPO, PO Box 13456, Springfield, IL 62791-3456. E-mail to: [email protected] For details on all of the above,
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