Request for more sub-forums

[stephenb]

In regards to the "Solar System" forum, I feel it would be beneficial to have a sub-forum for Solar Observing. I admit that there is not much happening in Solar at the present, but what little new threads are posted, get lost in the dozens of Jupiter posts (or Saturn, or Mars posts, whatever's popular at the time of the year).

Also, was there any more thought on a sub-forum for DIY observatories?

[jjjnettie]

I'll second those requests.

[dpastern]

Not a bad idea actually. I'll 3rd that request.

Dave

[jjjnettie]

All in favour?

[Matty P]

I'll put my hand up for this as well.

Great idea. :thumbsup:

[dpastern]

Aye aye mon capitan!

Dave

[stephenb]

I must clarify that I have no issues with the incredible amount of Jupiter posts at the moment; the more the merrier and that goes for any planet which is receiving high profile attention due to its position in the sky.

I would like to extend my original request for not only a separate sub-forum for Solar, but a separate sub-forum for Comets also.

- Solar
- Comets and asteroids
- Planets

(plus th DIY observatories suggestion)

Stephen

[dpastern]

Sounds good to me Stephen - good thinking!

Dave

[Octane]

I may be wrong, but, I think you'll find that your request will get knocked on the head. It would be a bit like us on the more exciting side asking for subforums on nebulae, galaxies, planetary nebulae, et al.

There is something extremely appealing about IceInSpace to me, and, I'm sure to many others also -- that we, thankfully, aren't like CloudyNights.

Too many forums make my head hurt. :P

Regards,
Humayun

[iceman]

The DIY Observatories is one that we've discussed and I gave my in-principal support to, so I'll probably look at setting that up soon.

For images, the only reason there's a lot of Jupiter at the moment is because people aren't taking moon photos, and there's no other readily visible planet right now. Of course that will change as the year goes round.

Solar images are always quite light-on, but as we head back into solar maximum, people will start imaging the sun again to show us images of sunspots etc. That will help add diversity into the solar system images forum. Whether we then need a dedicated solar forum, I'm not sure. It just depends how many images there are.

What I don't like is sub forums for the sake of it, when there's not enough activity to warrant it. Categorisation is fine, I love categories and putting things in their special places. But if people can find what they're looking for right now, then it's going to be dependant on how many new threads would be started in the new sub forum.

I did discuss setting up a beginners imaging forum for newbie images who can post their images and feel more comfortable about it. I'll have another look at committing to that one, if it would help newbie images would take that first step and post their images.

[Paddy]

Ditto!

[stephenb]

Perhaps the title was a tad scary to some...

Just to touch on this topic again, if I may. The arguement against a solar sub-forum is the lack of solar posts at the time of this thread (September 2009). There seems to be a steady increase in solar activity and subsequent posts.

My other argument for a separate Solar sub-forum, is that is a completely different discipline altogether, compared to 99% of the rest of the hobby. It requires different equipment and it is done in the daytime!

Perhaps Solar System sub-forum could be split into two sub-forumsL: Lunar and Planetary (because of similar imaging techniques) and Solar (because of the reasons previously stated)?

I see this request no different to the separation of the different disciplines in the equipment section.

Regards...

[iceman]

Given that we're going into solar maximum and more and more solar images will be posted, i'm inclined to agree with you at this point.

Will see about creating one soon.