Entertain and Educate Your Family Through Stargazing
ByI don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy looking at the night sky for enjoyment and relaxation, but have you thought about the educational value?
Astronomy Has Deep Roots In History
We have been watching the skies at night for as long as history has been recorded. People could often find their way to and from distant places by knowing what stars to follow. The North Star, for instance, was used by the Underground Railroad before slavery was outlawed. African slaves were pointed in the right direction at night by using the North Star to find freedom from the southern states before the Civil War. They had to move at night for fear of being discovered.
Ships used the stars for directions, and the first calendars measured time by the size of the moon. Constellations told stories, and eclipses marked dooms days back in the earlier days of our ancestry. The stories are rich, and inspiring to share with your children.
Stargazing Is Free
It doesn’t cost a thing to look up in the sky at night, or on the computer, and learn to recognize the constellations. The Milky Way, meteors, meteor showers, satellites, and the Andromeda Galaxy cost nothing to observe with the naked eye.
You can also enjoy a binocular view of the universe. Many people don’t consider using them for much more than football plays or bird watching. Dust them off and see for yourself. This educational hobby will create memories for generations!
