Comet Enthusiast

children telescope

 

5 Things to do outdoors with their children on a clear night

On dark nights, of course, an amazing world awaits even the casual observer. Telescopes and binoculars are optional and the display is better at night when the moon is not full. So here are five great ways to enjoy a night clear to children:

Looking for satellites

Our sky is filled with all kinds of spacecraft meteorological satellite communications satellites to the space station. On clear nights, they are easy to detect. Just look what appears to be a slow movement of stars. Unlike an airplane, these objects do not have blinking lights and are usually white in appearance, as they reflect light the sun.

In general, the slower the satellite appears to be moving across the sky, the higher orbit. And the satellites tend to disappear, reappear, enlighten and regulated according to the rotation of the object and how it is reflected sunlight.

See shooting stars

certain times of the year, the Earth enters the debris trail left by the fleeing comets. Within which usually falls in mid-August and another is around the second week of November. These meteor showers are the best times to observe shooting stars, sometimes up to 50 or 60 per hour.

Caused by dust and small particles burning to enter the dense atmosphere of Earth, you can see shooting stars any time of year when less frequent patterns.

Since the middle of the night offers the best opportunities for observation during the rainy season meteor may be a special gift for awakening the children in and out during what would normally be your bedtime. The local weather stations and the Internet are the best sources of information for when meteor showers will occur in your area.

Find some constellations

Constellations are groupings of stars that seemed like old people, animals and creatures that were familiar. Today, people still go through the form of the constellations appear to be aligned.

Armed with a book on the stars at night or some information from the Internet, many of the constellations are easy to detect. Orion and Ursa Major are also some of the most easily recognized.

Look Ursa Major

The Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major or Big Bear, "is an important constellation of navigation purposes, because the connection of two of the stars in the system always lead to Polaris, the North Star. Knowing that the media can always find north on a clear night.

The Big Dipper looks like a large spoon with a curved handle and four stars that appear in the form of cup. From our point of view in this world revolves around Polaris in the constellation throughout the night.

To find the pole star, just connect the two stars away from the handle and draw an imaginary line from the bottom of the cup to the top. The next star you should see is Polaris, the North Star. Contrary to some perceptions, not glowing. But it is very consistent in its location.

Discovering the Milky Way

Especially on summer nights, the Milky Way, our galaxy, appears to extend across the night sky as a milky cloud. But this cloud consists of millions of stars.

To see the Milky Way, is almost better to look near, but not in the true sense of the galaxy. So your eyes will be better able to pick up the contrast between the darkness of space and the soft glow of that sea of stars.

These are just five tips for stargazing fun night with your children. It is always a time to share his thoughts about the vastness of space, the wonder of creation and the beauty of heaven. Just realize that most of the stars we see are hundreds, even thousands of light years so that some may have disappeared despite its light continues to travel to the earth is enough for a young mind to take note.

So take a few minutes and spend time tonight with their children, looking at the sky and be amazed by its splendor.

About the Author

Robert J. Korpella is publisher of the Ozarks outdoor journal, freshare, a new media online publication where you'll find articles, photos and video concerning the environment, outdoor recreation, nature, outdoor events, even ways to enjoy the outdoors in your own backyard, like gardening, grilling and the night sky. While focused on the Ozarks region, freshare’s timely content can be enjoyed by anyone in the world. Korpella, author of the novel The Red Triangle, invites you to visit freshare, the site's photo gallery and the freshare store. http://www.freshare.net

Any advice on what to buy telescope for beginners?

this is for an older child with an interest in astronomy and has to be a reasonable price (Christmas)

Please ignore ant response. A "reflective" (reflector) telescope is used by a mirror. If that point is very basic wrong, do not follow their advice. failed to mention most of the reflectors show a "reverse" image (which are usually quickly to this.) All astronomical telescopes do. A tripod is essential (you wouldnt believe how much that moves as "still"). Your Store local chambers should be able to advise. I think a lot of encouragement is important, get some fun books too! and many have fun

children telescope