My Journey in Astronomy - 5 years since it all began!

[iceman]

Hi all

My wife will tell you – I don’t get into hobbies lightly. I become engrossed in them, obsessed :) It becomes a passion, not just a hobby.

And so it was when in June 2004, I decided that I was going to start pursuing my interest in Astronomy and take it up as a hobby. Now, 5 years later – wow, what a journey it has been!

This month marks the 5th anniversary of my time in Astronomy. Take a stroll down memory lane with me to find out how it all began, the ups and downs along the way, and my plans for the future.

My Journey in Astronomy - 5 years since it all began! (http://www.mikesalway.com.au/2009/06/23/my-journey-in-astronomy-5-years-since-it-all-began)

Thanks for reading.

[[1ponders]]

It's been a fantastic journey Mike. Thanks for sharing the ride, it's been a lot of fun. Here's to a few more miles for the ol' IIS Bus. :drink: :drink: :drink:

[xstream]

Congrats Mike! :cheers:

It certainly has been a lot of fun reading and enjoying the ride down memory lane. :thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

You've done great things for the Astro community Mike.
Thank you for sharing the last 5 years with us.
I'm looking forward to what may unfold during the next 5 years.:)

[lacad01]

Interesting reading Mike, thanks for sharing. Hmm, could make for a good preface to a certain almanac :whistle: ;)

[h0ughy]

LOL time for a book......

congratulations Mike

[Liz]

Well done Mike and ....... BIG THANK YOU!!

[toryglen-boy]

Well, there is certainly some unbridled passion there, although TBH 5 years isnt very long at all, and some people might be really cheeky and call you a n00b !!

:lol:

Seriously though, thanks for providing a great site.


:thumbsup:

[erick]

No roadblocks reported - good to hear! Onya Mike! :thumbsup:

[Ric]

Great read Mike and a big thanks for IIS.

Where would we be without it.

Cheers

[matt]

Happy anniversary, Mike.

What a ride!:)

[cahullian]

Nice one Milke keep up the grear work : )

Gazz

[Lester]

Thanks Mike, its amazing how quick you have got to where you are now in this hobby/science.

I owe a big thanks to IIS, as it was the very thing that got my interest back into astronomy. Also the knowledge of the members has been a great asset that I have turned to time and time again.

All the best Mike.

[leon]

Great read Mike, it certainly was a journey, but look at what has been achieved, congratulations, and thanks to IIS, I too am experiencing a hobby like no other.

Leon

[AstralTraveller]

My heart-felt congratulations. It's hard to believe you have achieved so much in such a short time. Your photography is excelent, you output prodigious, and the IIS site is the best thing for Aust amateur astronomy I think I've seen in the 35 years I've been into it. Give yourself a big pat on the back! :thumbsup:

[duncan]

Hi Mike,
Wow! What a great read. Congratulations on what you have already achieved and no doubt for what you will achieve in the future.
PROUD! you certainly should be. If not for this site i wouldn't have gotten back into Astronomy.
Thankyou for all you have done.
Cheers,
Duncan:):D:thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Thx Mike for the web site and promoting astronomy on a massive scale.
My the next 5 be as rewarding as the first 5.
Cheers Kev.

[Rodstar]

You're so achievement-oriented, Mike!

Maybe my take on the past 5 years is a little different because I have not achieved like you have - but I reckon your greatest achievement is not so much the stuff you have been publicly recognised for in terms of imaging awards etc, but in connecting up so many people from around the world who would never otherwise have found each other's company and encouragement. The site and events connected with IIS have certainly made a huge difference in my life, and I hold some folk I have met through the forum as good mates. Without IIS, none of this would have happened.

Well done, buddy! And thanks.

PS: One day I WILL beat you at tennis.

[cookie8]

Some people can hardly master visual astronomy in 5 years let alone photography. IIS really brings people together and you has to be congratulated for this remarkable achievement. Looking forward to your next 5 years.

[Matty P]

Great work Mike. The things you have achieved in your 5 years is quite remarkable.

Congratulations and looking forward to what you achieve in the future.

Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

[coldspace]

Mike,
Wow, 5 APOD's in 5 years. What a fantastic achievement.
Keep up the good work and this site has been a blessing in creating an information source for everyone.
I know in my 5years in this trade that more than half my knowledge has come from IIS.
I know what you mean about getting addicted to this hobby.

Regards Matt.

[M54]

What amazing achievments in such a short time!:eyepop:
Great story Mike.
I'm moving a lot slower, but I'm still enjoying the journey.
Thanks for bringing us all together.:thumbsup:

[hickny]

Since joining this forum in July 2005 I have learnt heaps from reading the forum. I have met and made friends with people who share my hobbie and I have purchased a telescope and shared the wonders of the night sky with many others. Without this forum I am certain that I would not have achieved as much. I still consider myself a beginner with so much to learn. Thanks Mike. Your efforts have helped me realise a childhood dream. I hope that you achieve all in your wish list and more.

[GrahamL]

Thanks Mike this place is such a great resource :thumbsup:

Regarding tennis Rod .. you sure you wouldn't be better off takeing up jogging ?.. ... At least you'd be running in the one direction if my suspicions are right :);)

[norm]

I tips my hat to you Mike:clap:.
You should seriously take a bow and reflect on the acheivements you have made over the years.
I could go on and go, but the IIS community speaks volume of what it is all about.

What impresses me is how it has remained true and professional throughout the years.

Thanks Mike.:thumbsup:
PS looking forward to IISAC 09!

[stevoggo]

thanks Mike thats a great read...especially for someone starting out in astronomy..
The website and establishing a community is also a great achievment..not on have you shared all the knowledge you have gained but through the website anyone can share knowledge.
I, and many others, would not even be involved in astronomy if not for this site and the helpful people on it.
best wishes to all
steve

[PeterM]

Mike,
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto
Not only have achieved a great deal, but you also have given back a lot to amateur astronomy, to me that speaks volumes.
My heartiest congratulations on the last 5 years.
PeterM.

[Quark]

Congrats Mike on your personal achievements in astronomy, so much in such a very short time.

I think though, that your major achievement has been the creation of IIS. A forum where like minded people can hang out and exchange ideas.

From the point of view of living in the remote outback IIS has been significant to me and I am sure others feel the same way.

I will not forget the encouragement that I have received from several on this forum and also from some that have moved on.

Well done
Regards
Trevor

[strongmanmike]

Here, here Bravo! Encore Encore

IIS fills in a big part of many peoples day, thanks Mike :thumbsup: I know it's the first place I go for a peek each day when I get up and then when I get home from work (no internet at work...probably luckily) and then much of many evenings too while I am doing other things, it's always on in the background :)

Mike

[h0ughy]

You know I joined IIS in 2005, I had one pair of Binoculars and at that stage only two telescopes, and only knew the people in the local Society and never been to a star party. Well I suppose the difference between then and now might be noticeable :lol: but along the way I have met and collaborated with new friends, and only slightly obtained more gear than what I originally had ;) . So this site is really like putting a kid in a lolly store – one bit is never enough, and after a while its only sleep that delays the gluttony ;)

Many thanks.

[Baddad]

Hi Mike, :)

I'm impressed, well done. I have a lot to catch up on to be any where near those achievements.

Cheers Marty

[OneOfOne]

Woo hoo!

I know I don't speak alone when I thank Mike (and the other behind the scenes workers) for getting IIS up and running. I know at times we behave like two year olds and we soon get put in our place and made to go to bed before the Sun sets and not get up until it has risen! You have done a fantastic job, keep it up.

[RB]

Congrats Mike, always wonderful to see your images and what a ride it's been.
You always give it your best and the results speak for themselves.

Also thank you for this great time waster of a forum, of which I've learned so much and have made so many new friends. :)

Cheers mate.
Here's to the next 5 and beyond.

:cheers:

[spacezebra]

Hi Mike, Happy Anniversary.

Cheers Petra d.

[Dennis]

Oh my gosh – has it been that long since I stumbled across this thriving community?

Firstly, thank you Mike for your foresight and commitment in setting up the Forum. Although Ice In Space is now a well established institution, I’m sure that the fledgling months provided you and the management team with some quite daunting challenges and troublesome moments, along with the daily ups and downs of holding together such a diverse community – thanks to all of you for persevering with the vision and for funding the development of Ice In Space in terms of your spare time, energy and personal monies.:thumbsup:

The community has certainly developed and matured under the guidance of the management team; just witness the growing inflow and retention of community members, whilst continuing to be a fantastic place for like minded spirits to share ideas, news, knowledge and insights into astronomy and related matters.:thumbsup:

I have really enjoyed my time here, benefitting hugely in terms of astronomy related matters as well as valuing the personal lessons learned from interacting with such a broad range of people, the diversity of which I just would not have been exposed to otherwise.:)

I wish you, the management team and the community members well and look forward to the next 5 years, and beyond!:)

Cheers for a job well done!:thumbsup:

Dennis

[RobF]

If IIS was a pub, I fear I'd be sloshed all the time!... :P
Cheers, congrats and many thanks for creating such a great meeting spot Mike - for meeting some great folk online and for real under the stars.

[Robh]

Mike,

I myself, have not long returned to astronomy after about a 35 year hiatus. I'd only heard about IIS late last year from someone in my astronomy club. Having joined in February this year, I immediately saw the value in the site as a central point for communication and a place where members can use their particular expertise to help each other. The most striking and refreshing thing about the forums is the enthusiasm of the members, their willingness to assist and their eagerness to join sensible debate.
IIS is not only important for its educational value but also in its promotion of a growing interest in astronomy.
Congratulations on the five year success story!

Regards, Rob.

[Jen]

:clap::clap::clap: Yay thanks Mike if it wasnt for your amazing passion for astronomy i wouldnt have made so many awsome friends that i have found in here cheers to the next 5 years :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
:bowdown:

[iceman]

Wow, I'm very humbled by all of your encouraging words and feedback. I really appreciate your commments.

This anniversary is more about my personal entry into the world of astronomy - the 5 year anniversary of IceInSpace itself will happen in September.
But they are very closely linked, no doubt about it.

I hope to be able to continue to share my journey with everyone over the next 5 years, and hopefully help more people along the way.


I know you were joking, but there were times where I wasn't taken seriously because I was so "new" in this hobby. To some people, you had to have been observing for 10-20+ years before you were taken seriously, or before you were "allowed" to have a good idea or an opinion different from someone else's.


Gazz! Where ya been!?? Nice to hear from you!!



Thanks Lester.
It's a lot easier for someone to improve very rapidly in astrophotography these days, than it was 5-10 years ago.
The new camera technologies (the humble webcam for a start!!) and of course registax, have revolutionised planetary imaging.
Combine that, with more and more people sharing their knowledge through articles and forums, the learning curve is reduced dramatically.
I'm quite certain that there's other planetary imagers around the world who will already be achieving the same or better images than me, and have been doing it for a lot less time.

I'm happy to continue to share whatever knowledge I learn to help others in their journey through astrophotography. Ultimately, it's only going to benefit our hobby.


Thanks Rod - you're quite right. I didn't mention all the friends I'd made over the last 5 years, and I certainly see that as one of the most rewarding aspects of it.
When I started this journey, I didn't know a single person on the central coast into astronomy - that's certainly changed now!

re Tennis, it could've gone either way. I'm sure your time will come very soon :)


Thanks again to everyone for sharing how IceInSpace has helped their own journey, or inspired them to get further into this great hobby of astronomy.

I'm looking forward to the next 5 years!