Astronomy.FM Congratulates 2009 "Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day" (AAPOD) Winners

Astronomy.FM, an amateur astronomy focused organization that launched its website in May 2009, has already grown to well over 600 members. The organization's mission is to explore, enjoy, and promote astronomy and space science; to encourage and facilitate the growth of astronomy science to professionals, amateurs, and students, and to bring awareness to the public; to educate and inspire humanity to "look skyward" and learn.

The group offers its members many ways to do all of this. AFM*Radio features a combination of original and recorded programs airing non-stop every day, so listeners around the globe always have fresh astronomy-related content to enjoy. There are also live multi-media special events such as meteor and moon watches, future live astro-imaging sessions, and an upcoming virtual NASA launch tweetup. Astronomy.FM's educational mission is further enhanced by the SkyLog articles written by contributing members, which offer insights on a variety of topics, as do the Astronomy Events and Astronomy Word of the Day posts. Members also share ideas in the chat room, and answer each others' questions in their forum.

One of the highlights, and favorite places for members to look daily, is the "Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day" (AAPOD). These are images created and submitted by Astronomy.FM members. Using a wide variety of equipment and techniques - from high-end CCDs to sketches - the images are a reflection of the diversity of the group's interests, and of the wonders in the night sky. Each month the membership votes for an AAPOD of the Month; the winner receives both accolades and free points to use at Global Rent-A-Scope, a sponsor of Astronomy.FM.

Astronomy.FM would like to take this opportunity to share all of the 2009 AAPOD images that were voted "Best Of" by its members.