Astronomy For Kids | Universe Today

If you've been peeking out the windows at night, or maybe looked up while walking the dog before bedtime or taking out the trash after dinner, perhaps you've seen three fairly bright stars in a row. Depending on how early or late you look, you may see them lined up side-by-side above the horizon, or they may be one on top the other when they are setting to the west. If you've noticed them, you wouldn't be the first… Humankind has been telling stories about this set of stars for centuries! Read more…

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Only one more day left until Christmas Eve, and astronomers have just discovered a unique feature on the lunar surface. Although accepted for many years to be a natural feature of selenography, modern astrophotography coupled with today’s high-powered telescopes have discovered an area near the lunar North Pole that’s apparently being used as a runway by a man in a red suit piloting an unusual spacecraft… Read more…

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Hello, Cosmic Kids! As the seasons change, not only do the Earthly birds migrate, but so do the celestial ones. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's not unusual to see large flocks of our feathered friends moving on to warmer climes, but did you know that there are bird constellations that are migrating, too? Instead of flying south for the Winter, these ancient avians are headed west… Read more…

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What happens when you mix a large group of kids with a telescope that talks? Chances are, you've got a recipe for loads of astronomy fun. Thanks to a generous donation of a Celestron SkyScout 90 telescope and more, the Outreach Team at Warren Rupp Observatory soon found out what it was like to take on more than 300 guests during a recent public night and just how valuable certain pieces of astronomy education equipment can be. Come on inside where it's dark and let me show you what we've found… Read more…

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Ah, yes… The skies have long been dark and the constellations have been on the move since the last time we've visited! Hercules now stands overhead when darkness falls. Summer Bugs and Scorpius are already going west of the meridian and Ophiuchus, the "Snake Charmer" has taken its place. In the southern hemisphere, they are tolerating winter – but the nights are warm in the north and with them comes our finest times of viewing our own Milky Way galaxy's spiral arm… Sagittarius. Read more…

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Howdy, kids! Over the last couple of months we've visited with a multitude of wonderful sky characters. We've located the Triangle, met the Dragon, visited in the Royal House, met a King and Queen and their children, a celestial Herdsman and his grandchildren, and we've even met an ancient Egytian! Now when we go out at night, we often find ourselves surrounded by bugs and other creepy crawlies in the night. Did you know that you can find them in the stars, too? Then sit back and listen to the voices on the wind as it tells you where to look… Read more…

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Hey, Kids! Did you see the crescent of the Moon last night? With the heat and humidity much higher in the northern hemisphere, it looked wonderfully like a cool slice of orange cantaloupe hung in the sky! If you're looking for something cool to do, then why not get out your binoculars and try a little star gazing? We've visited with a lot of different sky characters and it's time to learn more. Whenever you're ready, it's time to head out into the dark shadows and listen to the voices on the wind… Read more…

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Hey, kids! Are you ready to spend another warm, northern summer evening out under the stars? Then perhaps you'd like to introduce yourself to the Celestial Farmer and his family. Before the Moon comes back and steals away our dark skies, begin when night falls and watch overhead for the appearance of a bright, orange-looking star. Congratulations! You've just found Arcturus and you're on your way to learning our next constellation lesson. Now, sit back and listen to the voice of the wind and the night as it tells you a story… Read more…

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With the Moon now gone from the early evening sky and the lightning bugs beginning to twinkle in the summer fields, isn't it time you stopped to do a little stargazing? If you're outside when the skies begin the get dark, the first star you will see overhead is the brilliant orange Arcturus, which will point the way to blue/white Spica as the skies get dark. If you listen to the wind, you'll hear the night birds beginning to call… and maybe even the voice of the stars telling you about the Cup and the Raven! Read more…

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The month of May is a fine time for flowers and colors – and even getting married! There once was an old tradition where children took ribbons and 'danced around the Maypole' in circles, weaving patterns around a central focal point. Before the month is over, why not celebrate the flowers and the dance of the stars around the northern pole as well? Let's take another look at a constellation that's becoming very visible at this time of year as we visit "Kings and Queens and Royal Things"… Read more…

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Kids of all ages! With no Moon around to light up the weekend skies, isn't it time to spend an evening outside an enjoy the stars? With Spring in the air in the northern hemisphere, the nights are much warmer and a welcome time to observe the glittering jewels that turn around Polaris, the "North Star". This time we're off on an adventure to help you identify the eight largest constellation in the night – Draco the Dragon… Read more…

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The seasons and the constellations are changing – and so are the times that many of us go to bed! If you're up late tonight, this would be a great time for you to spot some very special things going on in the night sky. You won't need any special equipment – just your eyes and knowing where to look. Are you ready? Then step outside and listen to the wind as it tells us about the Summer Triangle and I'll tell you what else to look for! Read more…

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We just received some great information from Kris Koenig, the producer/director of the PBS documentary that is now airing "400 Years of the Telescope," and we wanted to help get the word out to both astronomers and teachers about this new educational program called Astronomer in the Classroom. The project is being facilitated by the University of Hawaii Institution for Astronomy along with Koenig's Interstellar Studios as an educational program for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). The program will be done via webcasts and is beginning today! They are looking for astronomers that are interested in volunteering 3 hours to this worthy activity, and want to let teachers know about the availability of this program for their classroom.
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Greetings, Fellow Stratos Dwellers! Have you had more than your fair share of clouds lately and are hankering for a few photons? Skies haven't been spectacular in this part of the world either and when it is clear, the heat is sure making it difficult to get a nice steady view. But, it's a nice night out. Wanna' take out the StarGazer's telescope and have a look at Jupiter? I'll see you in the back yard… Read more…

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Have you ever wondered what it was like to look through a real telescope? Tired of being clouded out night after night and would be happy with a look through any telescope? After all the exciting news we've heard about Mars, I thought it might be fun to let you take a look through a small telescope and see what Mars really looks like – flaws and all. Read more…

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