Talk abstract
This talk will center around the South Equatorial Belt fading and revival that took place between 2009 and 2012.  I will discuss what amateurs have done.   I will also summarize my brightness measurements during this time and will also describe an important study carried out by a group of professional astronomers.
Biographical information
Richard Schmude, Jr. first became interested in astronomy in 1964 or earlier (age 6 or younger).  He remembers seeing a large number of stars from suburban Washington DC when he was a small boy.  He attended public schools near Wahsington DC, Los Angeles, CA and Houston TX.   He attended North Harris County College and Texas A&M Univeristy.  He received his Ph D in Physical Chemistry in 1994.    He started teaching at Gordon College in 1994 and has been there since.  He is currently the Jupiter and Remote Planets Coordinator for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.   He is a member of several astronomy organizations including the Flint River Astronomy Club.