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The quarterly journal of the ALPO
with the whimsical name The Strolling Astronomer
started out as literally a cut-and-paste publication
distributed to members of the organization as a
means to exchange observing reports and data about
solar system astronomy. This also includes
information about individuals within the ALPO
organization and the equipment they use.
The first issues were mimeographed
sheets with illustrations attached directly to them
and then the pages bound together. In 1950, The
Strolling Astronomer (or "JALPO") actually
published drawings, photos, diagrams, etc.
Today, the JALPO is published
quarterly both as a hard copy (paper) publication as
well as in pdf ("portable document format"), and
includes a myriad of data which is based on
conscientious, detailed, observing reports submitted
by ALPO members and nonmembers. While much of the
data is statistical in nature, many of the articles
also provide how-to observing information for the
serious amateur, as well as book reviews, etc.
Which Journal format you receive —
pdf or hard copy — is based on your ALPO membership.
ALPO memberships which include only
the pdf Journal are considerably less expensive
because no physical printing, processing or mailing
is required. Plus, this Journal is available for
downloading as soon as it is placed online.
ALPO memberships which include the
hard copy Journal are more costly because these
Journals require physical printing, processing and
distribution. Plus, distribution can take several
weeks after initial release of the pdf version due
to regular printing and mailing procedures.
To help you decide which is best for
you, please click on "The Strolling Astronomer" link at
left for access to our library of pdf ALPO journals,
many of which are now free; the newer issues require
a password which is provided only to those ALPO
members who have a "pdf" membership.
The ALPO also offers both a Sponsor
Member Level and Sustaining Member Level — both of
which include the pdf AND the paper Journal. For a
complete description of the ALPO and membership
dues, click on the "ALPO Membership" button at left.
There are two ways to access pdf
documents:
- Left-click on the file name
below the image to simply open the file and read
it online.
- Right-click on the file name,
then save the file directly to the folder of
your choice on your own terminal.
In both cases, the documents
will open in Adobe Reader on your terminal.
All are in
portable document format (pdf) and require the free
utility "Adobe Reader" (version 5.0 or later)
available at
https://www.adobe.com.
(This
page last updated June 19, 2008)
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