Adult and child stargazing ()
Do you ever go outside at night and look up at the stars? The stars look amazing when shining bright in the sky. However, they are not just pretty. The stars tell stories if you know where to look. When the stars connect into a pattern, it is known as a “constellation.” Constellations help sailors and explorers know where they are going at night. Looking for constellations, stars and planets in the sky is known as “stargazing.” The sky has so many cool things to see. We are here to help you find them.
Download a free sky map from skymaps.com/downloads.html.
Before going outside, go to timeanddate.com/astronomy/night to look up what planets you can see that night.
In September, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus will be easy to see. In October, you can add Venus to that list.
Look for the brightest stars! These will be planets, larger stars and parts of a constellation.
Stargazing apps can help you find the stars. Free apps include: Stellarium, Sky Guide and Universe2go.
Binoculars and telescopes can help you see the stars better and in more detail.
If the sky isn’t clear, you will not be able to see a lot. The best way to have a clear night sky is to get away from the city. “Light pollution” is when lights from buildings and cars block your view of the night sky.
Always bring an adult. Make sure you can see the adult at all times.
Bring bug spray, snacks, water and a jacket. It can be chilly, even in summer, at nighttime.
The Big Dipper: The Big dipper is one of the most famous of all the constellations. It looks like a kite flying in the sky. It is part of an even bigger constellation, Ursa Major, the Great Bear .
The North Star: Also known as Polaris, it helps people navigate at night. It is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear.
Argo, the Ship: This constellation is huge. It tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts from Greek mythology. Unfortunately for the Argo, it was deemed “too big” as a constellation and is now considered four smaller constellations .
The Zodiac Signs: Maybe you have heard of a zodiac sign, or an astrological sign. The Babylonians named the zodiac constellations 3,000 years ago! It helped them to track the seasons. The 12 zodiac constellations mark the time when the sun appeared in that part of the sky. Because the Earth’s path slowly changes, they don’t line up in the same way today. Instead, they are now associated with birthdays. For example, people born between April 20 and May 20 fall under the sign, “Taurus: the Bull .”
Friggjarrokkr, Frigga’s Distaff: Even the Vikings used the stars to tell stories. Frigga was the Norse (Viking) goddess of marriage. A “distaff” is a tool used in spinning yarn. Today, we recognize Frigga’s Distaff as the “belt” of the bigger constellation, Orion .
Orion: It is also known as “The Hunter.” Orion has the seventh brightest star in the sky, Rigel. Orion got its name from the Ancient Greeks. But, the Ancient Egyptians also had a different name for it. They believed that it was the pharaoh-god, Osiris.
