Hi all

This morning we made some changes to the structure of the IceInSpace Community Forums.

The forum re-structure is the first in a number of changes you're going to see here at IceInSpace in the coming months, as a result of the feedback and answers gathered during our IceInSpace Community Survey 2010.

The changes today were designed to better focus the discussions and topics, encourage more beginner participation, and to improve the general layout of the forums and sub-forums.

Please read the announcement thread for more information, or to give your feedback about the changes. You can of course go to the forum home page to see the entire list of forums.

Thanks for reading.

NACAA, the National Convention of Amatuer Astronomers Inc, is holding its 24th bi-annual convention this year, 2010, in Canberra ACT over the Easter long weekend, April 2-5.

It's looking like another great event, with a excellent range of guest speakers, workshops and activities for amateur astronomers. The theme for this years convention is "Astronomy in the On-Line Age".

Check out the programme for a full list of activities, and here's a few highlights:

• The inaugural John Perdrix Address by Dr Tom Richards
• Two workshops on Friday April 2 covering the new version of the VStar variable star analysis software package from David Benn, and expert advice on high-resolution planetary imaging from Anthony Wesley
• Hristo Pavlov will convene the Fourth Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations on Monday April 5
• A tour of the new Mount Stromlo Observatory prior to the BBQ on Sunday April 4
• An excursion to the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla on Monday April 5
• Dr Simon O'Toole will talk about the hunt for exoplanets and the role of amateurs
• The entertaining Dr Charley Lineweaver will talk at the dinner on the question of life in the universe
• Dr Daniel Shaddock of the ANU will talk about detecting gravity waves

Check out the NACAA 2010 site for more information, including how to get there, accommodation options etc, and when you're ready, you can register online.

For discussions on IceInSpace, head to this thread. 

Hi all

I've added two new Total Solar Eclipse articles to the Projects and Articles page.

• Total Solar Eclipse - July 11th, 2010 - Observing / Imaging Guide
• Total Solar Eclipse - November 13th-14th, 2012 - Observing / Imaging Guide

They are now also moved to a new "Celestial Events" section in the Articles list.

The November 2012 eclipse in Cairns is the first one for Australia since the 2002 South Australian eclipse, and it's going to be an absolutely huge event.

I'd really recommend to start your planning now, as any accommodation in the area is likely to be almost booked out already, or will get more expensive the longer you wait.

Good luck!