Summertime Stargazing with Kids

Some of my most treasured memories from childhood involve stargazing with my family. In our home, we didn't engage in any kind of "fancy" stargazing, with specific labels for stars or constellations. We simply watched the sky explode in lights on hot summer evenings, each of us thinking of how small and insignificant we felt. I still remember the Deep South humidity, the strumming of frogs, and the rhythmic song of the crickets welcoming each star into the night.

Simple summer stargazing is one tradition that I want my daughter to experience-- and one that I have already introduced her to. I think that all children and parents should experience the joys of stargazing at some point. Here are a few tips that can help you with this enjoyable family rite.

1. Get out of town.

On a clear night in front of your own home. How many do you see? If the answer is ten, fifty, or even one hundred, you are not in a good place for stargazing. Ideally, you should be able to see so many hundreds of stars that you would be unable to count them, even given limitless time to do so. While backyard stargazing can be fun even in an overlit city, the full experience of stargazing can only be achieved in an area with minimal light pollution. Take a trip to the country if possible.

2. Buy binoculars.

You don't need an expensive telescope to stargaze with your children. A pair of binoculars can be equally useful, especially when the kids are young. Cheap binoculars, available at thrift stores, science stores, and even toy stores throughout the country, can give your kids a closer-up look of the stars and moon than the naked eye alone. The simple magnification adds a whole new dimension to the experience of childhood stargazing.

3. Tailor it to your kids' developmental levels.

A two year old isn't ready to learn about the zodiac, and a 12 year old will quickly grow bored with finding the Big Dipper (again). Tailor your stargazing experience to the developmental level of your child or children. For example, if you have a very young child, star maps and detailed information are ultimately irrelevant and developmentally inappropriate. If your child is older, you can join him in learning fine details about astronomy, astrology and cosmology.

4. Check the forecast.

Find out when to expect major astronomical events this summer. A forecast of events such as comets, meteor showers and eclipses may be available at a local astronomical organization. Books, available at your local library or book store, also offer this information. Some events to watch for in summer of 2011 include the Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower on July 28 and 29, and the Perseids Meteor Shower on August 12 and 13. Neptune also makes its closest approach to Earth on August 11. Mark your calender!

5. Don't forget the moon.

Include the moon in your stargazing experience-- it can be a particularly valuable focal point to toddlers and preschoolers, who may not yet be able to follow your descriptions of stars and constellations. Discuss the phases of the moon with your children of all ages. For older kids, you might even discuss the "dry moon" phase in the apparent angle of the moon. During the summer, the Earth is pointed away from the moon's orbit, so the moon looks closer to the Earth's horizon. Moon-watching can be an enjoyable addition to your summer stargazing.

6. Check out the Summer Triangle.

This seasonal constellation is highly visible during the summer, and it's easy for even the youngest members of your family to find and identify. The brightest of these three stars is Vega, which is a bright, light blue. Closest to Vega in this noticeable shape lies Deneb, while Altair lies at the furthest end of the triangle. By teaching your children to find and identify these three stars-- which are most visible during July and August-- you gain the ability to reference other constellations near or around it.

7. Locate nearby constellations.

Several constellations are most visible when the Summer Triangle is high overhead. Vega, for example, forms the handle of the Lyre, while four fainter stars comprise the body of the instrument. Deneb rests at the tip of Cygnus, the Swan, while Altair lies at the beak of Aquila, the eagle. Summer is also a great time to locate Hercules, who is upside-down on the head of Draco, and Delphinus, the sparkling dolphin-constellation comprised of a diamond-shaped cluster of small close stars.

8. Talk about mythology.

Summer stargazing is a great opportunity to introduce children to fanciful mythological tales, which are often hundreds of times more fascinating than typical bedtime stories. The stars, which are living illustrations of the tales, add a new level to the story-telling experience. For example, you might share the fascinating story of the Lyre, which the god Orpheus used to tame savage beasts. Encourage your children to make up their own stories about the constellations. Stargazing is soothing entertainment for kids accustomed to television and video games.

9. Encourage creativity.

Who says that the Big Dipper is a spoon, or the rear-end of a bear? While there are many traditional labels associated with constellations-- and while these are worth sharing with your children-- kids can benefit from locating and labeling their own constellations. Ensue a sense of creativity and wonder in your child by asking her if she sees any animals, shapes or people in her own mind's eye. When the stargazing experience is over, your kids can write a story, author a poem, or paint an illustration of what they saw in the stars.

10. Discuss what stargazing signifies.

Many children are so distracted by the modern world that they spend no time thinking of their role in the world, or the universe at large. While your 3-year-old doesn't yet need to recognize how tiny she really is, I believe that it is good to help children find a perspective of their role in the cosmos. Remind your child that each star is a sun, millions of times the size of the Earth. Ask her what she thinks about life on other planets, and how she feels when she considers how big the universe is. An open line of conversation can make the stargazing experience very meaningful to you and your kids.