 Starry, Starry Night: Astronomy Adventures for Families
By Justine Ickes
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are?" While almost every child can recite this poem by heart, for many, their knowledge of astronomy ends there. That's a shame because stargazing has so much to offer. "Astronomy is a great hobby that's rich with opportunities," says Katie Moore, Astronomy Educator at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC. "Children learn how to observe, describe and interpret the world around us."
Wondering how you can introduce your family to the wonders of astronomy? Then, read on.
For Your Eyes Only
Find an open area where you can observe the sky with your naked eye. A high school's stadium, an empty parking lot or a local sports field are good observation sites. "For the very young, it's most important for children to notice and describe, not explain," says Moore. So don't be overly concerned about naming objects or explaining concepts. Instead, have fun watching the stars and constellations, their movement across the sky, and the planets as they wander among the constellations.
"Astronomy at the pre-school and young elementary age should be all about noticing what the sky looks like at different times of day, the night, and the year," says Moore. For families new to astronomy, the stars are a great place to start. Although, at first glance, the stars might all look alike, they differ in size, brilliance and color. To help your child see these differences, ask questions. What do you notice about the appearance of stars? Can you find a very bright star? Are the stars all the same color?
Children can also learn a lot by observing the moon. Point out the darker regions and brighter regions and invite your kids to imagine what might be there. Observing the moon is also a good way to introduce children to the concept of orbits and lunar phases. Says Moore, "Children can look for the Moon each day and draw a picture of its shape." Again, use questions to engage young minds. Can we see the moon during the day? Where does the moon go when we can't see it? Is the moon always in the same place every night? What shape do the dark and light regions make? What do you think the moon's surface is like?
You can also use stories to help your children learn about the constellations. Younger children, especially, enjoy hearing the stories and myths that people associate with the constellations.
After your family has identified a few constellations, you can do some athome projects. For example, have your child choose a favorite constellation and re-create it on paper, using a pencil or stickers to show where each star is. Next, help your child to connect the dots. Ask your child to describe what he sees. Some constellations, like the Big Dipper, are easier to visualize than others. Older children can download free monthly maps at www.skymaps.com or visit NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ for a different image each day along with an explanation by a professional astronomer.
RECOMMENDED ASTRONOMY BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN:
• Zoo in the Sky by Jacqueline Mitton
• There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin
• Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin
• The Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley
• The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch
Bring on the Binoculars
After your family has become familiar with the stars and constellations, Moore recommends using binoculars for sky-watching. Children under age 4 have a tendency to look at the lenses of a binocular, instead of through them, so make sure they have a chance to practice using binoculars before you go on an astronomy outing. Kids can check out the smaller craters and other features on the surface. They can compare how stars and planets look with and without the binoculars. Remember to use questions. Are there more stars in one area of the sky than another? What other colors do stars have?
In addition to the usual objects – the stars and planets – other phenomena, like meteor showers and eclipses, are fun to observe. The Perseids Meteor shower, for example, peaks on August 12-13 this year. Although the shower will take place during a Full Moon, you might still be able to see some meteors after midnight. And if you happen to be in Europe on December 10, 2011, you can see a lunar eclipse. While it will only be visible in North America as a small portion of the moon sets, viewers in Europe will be treated to a full lunar eclipse.
Time for the Telescope
As your family becomes more interested in astronomy, you may want to use a telescope. Younger children may need to be taught to use only one eye to look through the eyepiece. "Even with a very basic telescope, you will be able to notice some things: Venus has phases like the moon," says Moore. "Jupiter's four moons look like tiny stars as they orbit the planet; Saturn has rings." If you've got older children, consider joining your local astronomy club for help using telescopes, sky maps, moon calendars, and moon maps. Again, questions will help your children learn. How can you tell the difference between a star and a planet? How many rings do you see? What phase is Venus in tonight? Star-gazing is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect. So, instead of wishing on the stars, get outside and marvel at them!
Justine Ickes writes about culture, parenting and people making a difference at www.cultureeveryday.com. She and her two sons love watching for satellites and shooting stars.
This article originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Copyright 2011.
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