Last App Friday we featured three apps from Vito Technology: Star Walk, Solar Walk, and Geo Walk. They have followed up with a guest post with tips on enjoying the night sky with our families. Nice touch – thanks Vito Tech!
Warm summer nights are perfect for the first stargazing experience for your kids! But you should consider several factors not to end up freezing in the middle of the night with a tired crying kid in your arms.
KIDS: Your child should have a good nap before the night’s adventures, as sun sets later during the summer, you have to make sure he or she will be able to handle it. As a good parent, you already have understood that snack, hot chocolate, paper towels, torches and blankets are absolutely vital. By the way, wrap torchlight with some red tissue, so your eyes would adopt to darkness, which takes about 20 minutes.
EDUCATION: Devote to Astronomy not only night, but the day as well. Explain to your child what you are going to see. Make sure he doesn’t expect to see the same picture in telescope or binoculars as on bright pages of astronomy books, otherwise he might be really disappointed.
ENVIRONMENT: Plan the process – check weather forecast, find a less light polluted area, where you won’t be disturbed. And, of course, pick the objects to show beforehand. Use star atlas or Star Walk App, so you don’t suddenly feel lost. Learn interesting facts about the objects, so you can entertain your child.
EVENT: Perfect variant is, though it may sound strange, new moon night – as moon is bright enough to outshine some stars or planets, so if you are not to gaze the moon itself, it is better to choose a moonless night. Choose a night that promises an event – for example, a comet or a meteor shower. The brightest meteor shower seen in the Northern Hemisphere is Perseids in August.
EQUIPMENT: Binoculars, Telescope (surf the Internet for a rental, if it comes together with a professional who can explain astronomy tricks – even better) and if you are into modern technologies try iPad or iPhone with Star Walk and Solar Walk apps installed. While Solar Walk is an impressive 3D Solar System model that will help you to tell your kid of how our world is formed.
And remember, that even if you confused all the constellations and invented several new ones, the EVENT wasn’t seen from the spot you’ve chosen and you seem to have lost some of your stuff – be positive about the situation – for your kid it is an adventure of a lifetime!.. Or at least a night picnic!
I think this is my favorite post! We recently watched the Perseid meteor shower and it was incredible. We did exactly as you say in this post. Our kids love looking for the Big Dipper nightly on our walks. Following our nighttime explorations we actually made our own soloar system reusing tin cans – remember from your own childhood? You can mark a constellation on the can, poke it out then push a flashlight into the can and see what happens on your ceiling. A great way to wind down after a night under the stars.
Thank you for this post – it’s so important to share the wonder of the great outdoors with kids.
We’re glad you liked it!
It’s so amazing to discover the Universe and stars once again together with your children!