2010 - A Year in Review at IceInSpace

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

In line with my annual pre-xmas tradition of reflecting on the last year, with 2010 drawing to a close, it's now time to highlight some of the more popular events, topics and statistics here on IceInSpace.

As a common trend, showcase astronomical events always bring the most visitors to IceInSpace - particularly the general public, and especially if the media grabs hold of it and reports about it on the various media outlets.

The four most popular astronomical events in 2010 were:

• Anthony Wesley (forum member "bird") discovered *another* impact strike on Jupiter
• 4 planets and crescent moon conjunction
• Total solar eclipse, 11 july 2010
• 26th june 2010 partial lunar eclipse

Some of the most popular topics and threads on the IceInSpace Forum are often the ones in General Chat where we get to know each other a bit more. There was a bit of that in 2010, but interestingly some image threads were the most popular in 2010. The most popular topics in 2010:

• Anthony's 2nd jupiter impact
• Plane Crossing middle of moon
• Discussion about avatar the movie
• Houghy's doghouse observatory
• sbig or qhy9
• Anthony's 'perfect seeing' jupiter image
• Interest in the ipad
• Upcoming total solar eclipse 2012

During 2010, we passed some significant milestones, including:

• We had our first major IceInSpace Community Survey
• We restructured the forum to have more focus on the beginners and a few more niche sub-forums.
• Passing 8,000 registered members
• Passing 1,000 Likes on the IceInSpace Facebook page
• Turning 6 years old in September
• Passing 60,000 threads and 600,000 posts!
• Holding our 5th IceInSpace AstroCamp (IISAC2010)

Some other interesting IceInSpace statistics for 2010 include:

• Over 1,800 new member registrations (a little less than 2009)
• Over 130,000 new posts (a little less than 2009)
• Almost 8,000,000 page views (a little more than 2009)
• Over 2,000 sets of items have been bought and sold through the IceTrade Classifieds (over 20% more than 2009! No GFC in Astronomy!?)
• Apart from the IceInSpace Forum, the most popular pages on IceInSpace were the homepage, the Projects and Articles page, the Reviews page, the Moon Phase page and the Links page
• 41% of people are browsing IceInSpace using Internet Explorer (47% last year). 2nd is Firefox with 37% (39% last year). Safari and Chrome are increasing and make up almost 18% (last year 10%), mostly thanks to the iPad and iPhone no doubt (for Safari at least).

I'm really looking forward to what 2011 will bring, for astronomy and for IceInSpace.

On behalf of IceInspace, Terry and I would like to thank everyone for being part of a fantastic year and a fantastic community. We wish everyone a safe and happy christmas and we'll be back with more in 2011!

All the best to you and your families.

[erick (Eric)]

Great to read the review and summary, Mike. Thanks for putting it together.

Many thanks to you and Terry for your work in keeping the site alive and vibrant!

Here's to a geat 2011 and a further 6 years of enjoyment and fellowship.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Great effort to Mike and the Team!

Lets hope the weather obliges for 2011 as well...

DT

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Thanks to Mike, Terry and the Mods for another year of IIS.

[astroron (Ron)]

It's been a good year for iceinspace thanks to Mike,Terry, and the mods for all your efforts

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Another year gone, where does it all go?
A year of stunning images, both from locals and overseas.
More invested in better equipment to capture the wonders of the heavens, good for Aussies with the dollar reaching parity.
Drought officially over.... And the clouds have moved in (temporarily)
New discoveries, technological advances, front row seats as the universe unveils it's secrets. Never been a better time to be involved.

[hotspur (Chris)]

Yes,time goes so quick.

Well done to IIS owners,I useful and helpful site.With some great threads.

Hope the clouds clear next year.

Chris

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Thanks Mike, time sure goes fast these days... here's hoping for more excitement in 2011 :-)

cheers, Bird

[duncan]

Well done Mike and your lovely wife!! and all others that kept this site alive.
Merry Xmas and a happy New Year.
Cheers,
Duncan

[beren]

Congratulations to IIS, administrators,moderators and members for another year ..... highlight for me was Anthony Wesley's and Trevor Barry's planetary imaging work. Also great to see so many members progressing very nicely with their imaging too, plus a big thumbs up for the advanced members who share there feedback and tips. Have a great and safe Christmas everyone

[Dennis]

Hello, Mike & Terry

Well another very successful year gone by, you guys must be rightly proud of what you have achieved and it’s great that you signed up for another year!

A fantastic well done also to the Moderators and the whole Ice In Space community, for their contribution in making this virtual gathering such a rich, interesting and rewarding place to hang out.

Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas, a peaceful and prosperous New Year and at least a few clear nights to help inspire and enrich our souls, as we look out from this amazing planet at the fabulous jewels that adorn our wonderful skies.

Cheers

Dennis

[Ric]

A great review Mike, a lot certainly happened in 2010 out there in the universe. Let's 2011 is just as amazing.

Congrats to you and the team as well, you guys do a fantastic job.

Merry Christmas.

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

As one of 1,800 new members this year, my congratulations on a great year. This site has taught me a collosal amount and I now have just enough astroknowledge not to be a complete dork at club viewing nights. Cheers and thanks,
Graeme

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Thanks Mike and terry for a great effort you do 2011 we hope will be a bigger and clearer new year,thanks IIS
AL

[Jen]

wooohoooo thanks guys if it wasnt for IIS i wouldnt have got enough courage to go to an Astro Camp I have been 3 times now

And big hugs to all the members on here that also play a big big part in IIS being so successful you lot are awsome
cheers to 2011 bring it on......