IceInSpace 5th Birthday Celebration Competition - How IceInSpace Has Helped You! - Page 4

Moon (James) · #61 02-09-2009, 11:26 AM

Happy birthday IceInSpace!

IIS has been a great resource for me during my first year of Astronomy. It has also been rewarding to help out others who are either just starting or have hit the same issues as me. Off the top of my head, I can remember reading very interesting and informative threads about importing the ED127 from China, how to polar align, the GSO RC, 101 ways to accidentally destroy your gear, the 2009 total eclipse in China, the Malin Awards, hobbing a worm gear, the bird strike and countless others.

In particular, I really appreciate IceTrade. It is clearly the number one place in Australia for second hand astro gear. There is a good supply of second hand gear on offer and a cashed up and eager market on the buying side too.

Of course it's people that make this web site what it is. I won't name names (you know who you are) but we have the astro gear gurus, the pixel peepers, the planetary imaging mob, the Tak team, the anti political correctness flamers, the ultra helpful, the scientists, the pgc hunters, the newbies, the ATMers, the semi professionals and the vendors. We all share a passion, and we are all probably have the same personality type. IIS is a great way for us all to keep in touch.

Finally to the moderators - on other astro forums posts often get deleted for seemingly no reason at all. The independence from vendors and freedom of speech is great and I think it keeps it more 'real' - keep up the good work!

fok4tel · #62 02-09-2009, 11:33 AM

I am a IIS member since 2008. It is through IIS that I started to involve seriously in astronomy. I got my first 'serious' telescope from one of the IIS members. Since then the IIS has become my source of astronomy gears and knowledge. People here are friendly and helpful. I got lots of practical advices from them.
No doubt, IIS is the sole reviver of the hobby!

WadeH (Wade) · #63 02-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Well what can one say after all these posts from such a wonderful and varied community!

Other than: Space is Big, Really Big!!

The patience, information and humor (not thinking of Jen here

) is all priceless.

Again a big universal thanks to Mike a the team for keeping the IIS community going.

jcri60 (John) · #64 02-09-2009, 04:46 PM

Happy 5th to a great site.

IIS helped me choose my first telescope after my interest in Astronomy was rekindled after recovering from a serious illness.

I'm like the silent partner, but I do appreciate everybodies contributions.

I might eventually join an Astronomy club when life becomes less hectic, but at the moment I am happy to potter around in the back yard for an hour or so looking up to the heavens and going !wow! And when I get stuck I refer to IIS,

Thanks again

Allan_L (Allan) · #65 02-09-2009, 05:02 PM

Ice in Space was a shock to me. Having only recently renewed an active interest in looking skyward, I was feeling a little odd at my mature age. So looking for help in the bookshop, I was surprised to read about the internationally recognised web site which had originated from a Central Coast local.

Impressed!

Without delay, logging on to the web address I was further amazed by the quality and volume of information available to people such as I.

I read with interest numerous stories such as mine. And the education path of members who now had experience, having been in my position not so long ago.

Finally taking the plunge to attend a dark sky event at Mangrove Mountain, I was so relieved to find a large group of faithfuls who were more interested in helping me to find my feet than they were in their own personal observations.

I owe so much to a bunch of dedicated guys (especially Geoff! - just to name a few!!!)

Although, I must admit my financial wealth would probably be a whole lot healthier had I not encountered Ice In Space.
That is nothing compared to the wonderful wealth of friendships I have found. And the amazing universe I have only just started to appreciate.

Thanks Mike.

AstroFlyer (Arek) · #66 02-09-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcri60

Happy 5th to a great site.

IIS helped me choose my first telescope after my interest in Astronomy was rekindled after recovering from a serious illness.

I'm like the silent partner, but I do appreciate everybodies contributions.

Similar situation here.
After having my life on hold for couple of years battling serious illness I came across this site.
Ice in Space rekindled my interest in astronomy.
I was blown away by quality of images & advice produced by the members.
This is the first site I visit when I get on the web every day, checking new posts and trying to learn as much as possible.
Thanks to IceTrade Classifieds I was able to acquire a "serious" scope at a good price.
The more I read the more I realise I have LOTS to learn...
I will definitely enjoy the journey.

Happy 5th Birthday

michaelcw · #67 02-09-2009, 07:58 PM

Happy Birthday
Where to start? like others this site has been fantastic for me, it has helped me select a great scope and various other bits ($$$

). I even managed to sell my first scope via the classifieds with out any problems. My sons cub pack is now all excited about space and planets and subject to clouds we have regular viewings. Now I head into the great area of photography with all the posts from Iceman and other to help me.

Thanks and lets bring on the next 5 years!!!!!

oziemouse (Steve) · #68 02-09-2009, 09:45 PM

When I first stumbled across IIS many years ago, I was after some information about Australian Astronomy in general, and telescopes in particular. Like all new-comers, I was after something which would do anything, and satisfy everything. Little did I know that it would be many years later that I would finally purchase my first scope. But thanks to IIS, I could not be happier with the purchase of my Dob.

Happy 5th Birthday IIS, and best wishes to all the forum members!

TrevorW · #69 02-09-2009, 10:00 PM

Ice in space is the place to be
plenty of friends and lots to see
So why don't you join us
become part of this crew
just like a family
somewhere to go and talk
to share our good and bad times
to have a laugh and grow as
a family should
Ice in Space is the place to be

astroron (Ron) · #70 02-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Iceinspace has been a good part of my life for the last four and a half years.
I have made some good friends and enjoy the company of other iceinspaces here at Cambroon and at Astrofest.
The regular Cambroon nights would not be happening except for this site

Crackers (Craig) · #71 02-09-2009, 11:02 PM

What have I got from Ice in Space? Somewhere to make me feel completely bloody inadequate! Every time I think I'm getting on top of this brilliant hobby, I come back to find that I'm an absolute babe in the woods.

Every question that I come up with has been asked and answered a dozen times. What's worse, it's been handled with tolerance and humour and explained in a way that even complete novices can understand.

Still, I have got one thing of real value from IIS (apart from the excellent help and advice - of course). I now have an endless supply of ways to compete with my wife's horses for the last few dollars from the family income at the end of the week.

Happy Birthday IIS - arguably the best (and certainly the friendliest) astronomy site on the net. Cheers!

Globular3 (Jeff) · #72 03-09-2009, 02:00 AM

Hi Everyone,

Well, Ice In Space has helped me in a number of ways.

I've felt a 'sense of belonging' as I shared discussions with other members about my questions or as I have tried to help them with their enquiries. Watching the membership numbers grow is exciting since interest in the science/hobby must be spreading across the community.
I've enjoyed reading the astronomical news via this site, e.g. the recent collision on Jupiter.
Other members have provided some great help for choosing new astronomical equipment in terms of the best quality and value. Also, recommendations for good shops to purchase the equipment from gave me the security to buy with confidence, e.g. the Long Perng 7mm - 21 mm zoom eyepiece which I recently obtained.
The 'Projects and Articles' have given me inspiration as well as ideas for things I could make.

Thanks to all those who have made contributions to Ice In Space as this has helped me to grow in knowledge and also enjoy astronomy so much more.

All the best,

Deimos · #73 03-09-2009, 06:56 AM

IceInSpace has helped me to meet an amazing group of people via IISAC - people who all have an interest in what's up there, how it came to be and where it's all is going.

So many people are willing to help out with entertainment (stories), advice and even labour (moving heavy equipment around in the middle of a cold, cold night to avoid that nasty rain storm that's just cranking up).

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone at Lostock again this year!

Thank you all for your advice and support,
Ant.

NeilW · #74 03-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Ice in Space is an excellent site. Browsing the forum threads has taught me an enormous amount, as well as helping me make decisions regarding equipment purchases, saving a lot of unnecessary expense. I've also got a couple of bargains throught the classifieds.

Can't get by without my daily IIS fix. Congratulations on an excellent site, and keep up the good work!

Terry B · #75 03-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Happy Birthday IIS
How has it helped me?
It has made me communicate with other astronomers and helped me find a purpose to why I look through my scope.
It has also let me help others with my limited knowledge.

allan gould · #76 03-09-2009, 01:45 PM

How has IIS helped me?
First its helped me to get into astrophotography and all this issues involved withthis persuit.
All members of the forum Im indebted to either for extremely helpful advuce or for sharing some stupid mistakes.
But mainly for the comradery that this forum has helped me attain.
Ive made some great friends that we have soend many nights persuing either visual or photography into the early hours of the morning. A great site for keeping abreast of the latest in Australia.

Rastas · #77 03-09-2009, 01:49 PM

IIS has helped me meet like minded individuals to chat and share thoughts.
Its also helped me discover how to do new things with my scope and get going in visual as well as astrophotography.
But most of all it gives me and appreciation of the Cosmos and the people that enjoy it.

iceman (Mike) · #78 03-09-2009, 07:55 PM

Winners are announced here:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=49126