Archive for astronomy
Entertain and Educate Your Family Through Stargazing
Posted by: | CommentsI 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!
Astronomy is an Educational Hobby
Posted by: | CommentsAs Educational Hobbies Go, Astronomy Is One Of The Least Expensive To Start.
All it takes to learn a little stargazing is a country road and a few minutes on your hands. O.K., that’s not always very easy, but the stars are definitely easier to see the farther out of town you get. Why not take the family for a little ride one night, find a place to park, and take a look?
You can climb up on the roof of your van or house, or throw a blanket in the backyard, too. It only takes a little know-how to figure out your constellations. You can print off some diagrams or find them in your encyclopedias. Getting the kids involved in the resource digging is good experience for them.
Some pretty good conversations come out of watching a satellite enter and exit your viewing area. It takes concentration to see them at all, let alone follow their path. One of our fondest memories visiting my husband’s parent’s house in the country is looking up in amazement at the vivid night sky.
It’s fun to watch the kids draw what they’ve seen, too; a good practice for retention skills.
Ask Questions
The education for your kids doesn’t stop there. Most astronomers are asking questions, like “What are the stars made up of?”, or “How do they create light?” These are excellent questions to pose to your kids.
Some things to look for up there might be:
- Planets
- Galaxies
- Eclipses
- Moons
- Novas
Discuss what this study originated for, and what astronomy has been used for in years past. The cycles of the universe have kept the seas navigated, the time marked, and the seasons predicted. Now you can even name your own stars!
Don’t miss out on astronomy, its an educational hobby that lasts a lifetime!
