There is truly nothing more beautiful than turning your head heavenward at night and seeing the wonders of the universe before your eyes. I was so fascinated by the night sky that I took an astronomy class in college and it was an amazing eye opening experience. The summer clear skies are perfect at night for star gazing and even better if you are away from the lights of the city or population where they are easier to see. If you happen to own a telescope than you are probably already familiar with the night sky and go star gazing often, but for those of us who don't then here are a few ideas to spend a evening with your loved ones under the stars.
Cabot Space and Science Center-
On each clear Friday and Saturday night in the summer, The Chabot Space and Science Center in the hills of Oakland, CA hosts a free event to go to the back of their facility after closing hours (7:30-10:30), where they keep their massive telescopes and look through them. Anyone is welcome and there are volunteers available to answer questions that you may have about anything you may see or not see in the night sky. I have done it a few times and it is an amazing experience and best of all it is FREE so take a date or your older children. http://www.chabotspace.org/ The space center has some fun exhibits for your kids too or movies to watch so go there during the day too for some fun.
Planetariums centers-
Planetariums are also a great way to get familiar with the sky for your younger kids who have strict bed times, they are a great relaxing afternoon date idea too. Just find one in your local area on the web and if you live in the bay area check out my earlier posting on fun things to do with kids in the bay area to find some near you.
Name a Star after your loved one and Movies under the stars-
If you are looking for a fun gift for someone who loves the stars and universe or a romantic gift for a loved one who has everything, you can have them officially named after a star. Go to these sites to find out more http://www.starregistry.com/ or http://www.starnamer.net/ Then you could present them with their official star named certificate when you go star gazing one night. Watch the movie, A Walk To Remember for a romantic star gazing movie night before you go look at the starts together or give your gift to your loved one then. You could also go watch a movie under the stars. Heather Farms Park in Walnut Creek, Ca and San Francisco Golden Gate Park all have Outdoor movie nights under the stars in the summertime. There will be a Free drive in Movie Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the West Wind Solano II Drive-In in Concord, so don't miss this fun movie night under the stars with your family if you live in the area. Gates open at 6 p.m. and movies will start at 8 p.m and there is a bouncy castle for the kids. The movies are Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.
Glow in the dark Star Books for children and Constellation books-
I love the glow in the dark star books and constellation guides. Here is a great site I found by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, with a list of these books and great information about everything you want to know in the night sky. .http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/skytellers/constellations/books.shtmlYour local library or bookstore will have these books too so check them out and bring them with you to star gaze.
Astronomy Classes-
If you have some free time or are retired, take an astronomy class with your spouse at a local inexpensive community college or if you are a student it is also a wonderful science elective. Even if one of you takes the class, you will learn so much amazing information about the universe that you can share that wonderful experience when you go star gazing with anyone, it is worth it!
Family star gazing activities-
You could read to your children about the constellation mythology stories or use the glow in the dark books outside to find stars together. Give them a copy of a the star hemisphere maps and have them point out the constellations or circle them or give them a blank calendar and have them draw them moon fazes each night. Decorate their bedroom or the family room ceiling one night in glow in the dark stars and turn off the lights to star gaze together. Go for a drive with them in the hills or take a camping trip together and star gaze at night. They even make some tents with moon roofs for star gazing. Have them watch for shooting stars or teach them how to use a compass following the north star etc. Or if your kids are really into space send them to a space camp or go plan for the next shuttle launch in florida and watch that. I went to the last one and it was really amazing to watch the space ship rocket blast off. What ever you do with them make it fun and also educational and they will love it and learn to appreciate the Universe too.
No comments:
Post a Comment