<P>I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new feature here on IceInSpace, the <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?moc">Monthly Observing Challenge</A>.</P>
<P>The Monthly Observing Challenge is a project put together by Andrew Durick (<A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/exit.php?url=www.iceinspace.com.au% 2Fforum%2Fmember.php%3Fs%3D%26amp%3 Baction%3Dgetinfo%26amp%3Buserid%3D 125"><FONT color=#ff3300>astro_south</FONT></A>) and myself, as a way to get people out under the stars, observing with a purpose.</P>
<P>Each month, we will have a list of 6 objects that are in a favourable position to observe in that month. The objects aren't necessarily a challenge to find, the <STRONG>challenge</STRONG> part of the project is actually describing (via taking notes) or sketching what it is you see through the eyepiece.</P>
<P>If you haven't taken notes or done any sketching before, don't be afraid to try it. You'll be amazed at how much more detail you bring out when you're actually trying to describe or draw what you see.</P>
<P>For our deep-space imagers, their challenge is to image each of the objects that month.</P>
<P>The first challenge month is May, and on the May challenge objects page you'll find all the information you need to find the object, including a link to download the IceInSpace Observing Log Template to take your notes and sketches. There are also links to forum threads where you can post your results.</P>
<P>You can access the <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/?moc">Monthly Observing Challenge</A> page by clicking on the button in the left-side bar, or you can find it under the Resources sub-menu. We hope you take part in this project as a way to increase your knowledge and observing skills.</P>
<P>Some housekeeping too, some updates to the IceInSpace site recently include:</P>
<LI>Added new review <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/exit.php?url=www.iceinspace.com.au% 2Findex.php%3Fid%3D47%2C199%2C0%2C0 %2C1%2C0"><FONT color=#ff3300>JMI Wheely Bars</FONT></A>
<LI>Added new review <A class=articleLinkInternal href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=42,190,0,0,1,0" target=_self><FONT color=#ff3300>UO 24, 16 & 12mm Konig Eyepieces + 2.8x Klee Barlow</FONT></A>
<LI>Added new How-To <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/exit.php?url=www.iceinspace.com.au% 2Findex.php%3Fid%3D63%2C194%2C0%2C0 %2C1%2C0"><FONT color=#ff3300>Home Made Observing Table</FONT></A>
<LI>Added new How-To <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/exit.php?url=www.iceinspace.com.au% 2Findex.php%3Fid%3D63%2C196%2C0%2C0 %2C1%2C0"><FONT color=#ff3300>How To Determine Seeing and Transparency</FONT></A>
<LI>Added new links to some amateur astronomer homepages
<LI>Added <A href="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/exit.php?url=www.iceinspace.com.au% 2F%3Fclub_events"><FONT color=#ff3300>info</FONT></A> about the May 7 IceInSpace Star Party</LI>
<P>On the forums, we've now exceeded 250 members and are fast approaching 20,000 posts! Congrats to everyone who contributes.</P>
<P>Thanks</P>
