Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
2011 Conference

July 20-23, 2011
Las Cruces, New Mexico

New Mexico State University Campus

The papers sessions will be held in Guthrie Hall in Room 201. Guthrie Hall is located on the International Mall between the east end of Horseshoe Street and Jordan Road. Horseshoe Street forms a loop, with the southern Horseshoe Street heading eastbound and northern Horseshoe Street heading westbound. The point at the eastern end where the two meet forms the end of International Mall.

The nearest public parking is in Lot 17N (north) at the end of Jordan Street. You may park there without a permit, but the parking is metered at $0.60 per hour. From lot 17N, walk back north to the International Mall. Turn left and head west to Guthrie Hall, which will be on your right.

If you are staying in a dorm room, please consult the information provided by NMSU Housing when they confirm a room for you on how to get to Guthrie Hall.

Parking on the NMSU Campus

A map of the NMSU parking lots and their proper use is located at here. Parking Lot 17N is in pink, signifying public parking. This lot is metered at a rate of $0.60 per hour. The parking lot is approximately one-fifth mile from Guthrie Hall (in red). Those displaying handicapped danglers or plates may park in any lot. If you are staying in a dorm and will be parking your vehicle on campus, please be sure to get the proper permit. Please note that parking regulations are strictly enforced. Full information on parking is available from NMSU Transporation and Parking Services.

Saturday Night Banquet at the NMSU Golf Course

The NMSU Golf Course Club House with its Banquet Room is located on a magnificent 18-hole golf course against the backdrop of the Organ and "A" Mountains with stunning views of the greens from the outdoor patio. To get the Club House, take University Avenue going eastward toward the Organ Mountains. After you cross Interstate 25, make a right turn on to Las Alturas Drive. Go south on Las Alturas Drive to Loop Drive. Make a left turn on to Loop Drive, travelling east again. When you reach Geothermal Drive, turn left at NMSU Golf Course entrance. The course is located at 3000 Herb Wimberly Drive. The meal will be buffet-style. The banquet is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.

After dinner, we will hear a short presentation from our own Walter Haas. Then, Fred Pilcher will present a program on "How Amateurs have Contributed to Asteroid Research."

Mr. Pilcher will discuss what amateur astronomers have done to advance our knowledge of minor planets. Much amateur activity revolves around the light curves of minor planets which reveal much information about their shape, rotation rates, and locations of the axes rotation. This very exacting and time-consuming work can only be done by amateurs who can commit the telescope time to individual minor planets. Amateurs also have been active in the discovery of minor planets and tracking of near-Earth objects (NEOs). Amateurs have submitted many positions of NEOs and have helped keep them from getting lost. They have also assisted in ruling out possible impactors that could meanace Earth.

Minor Planet 2007 TU24 as it passed the Earth in 2007.

Friday Night Barbeque

The Friday night Barbeque will be held at Casitas Encantatis, 636 S Alameda. There are 16 parking places that we ask you to use only if you have trouble walking. There are 200 parking spots across the street and we ask that you park there if you do not have problems walking. The patio area where we will be is behind the fence - you may walk around the left side of the building to the rear where it widens.

To get to the Friday Night Barbeque, head west (away from the Organ Mountains) on University. When you reach El Paseo, make a right turn onto El Paseo. Note that El Paseo becomes Union at University, so you may see the Union street sign. Continue northeast on El Paseo. At Main Street, El Paseo again changes its name to Alameda, so continue sraight ahead. Go an additional 0.1 miles past Main Street. You can find parking in the lots on right.

The barbeque is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.

Sponsoring Organizations

The 2011 Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers conference is sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces and The Astronomy Department of New Mexico State University.