Universe Today » Astronomy For Kids

Astronomy for Kids: Gemini – Twins Everywhere!

Tammy Plotner — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:39:40 +0000

Now that we've hunted down Orion and been bull ridin' with Taurus, it's time for us to discover a pair of celestial brothers – the Gemini twins. Gemini is one of the members of the zodiac which means the imaginary path the Sun, Moon and planets follow across the sky passes through the stars of this constellation. But what happens when you don't have these solar systems objects to point the way to the pair? Then look over the top of Orion's left shoulder and you'll see two bright stars that live about a thumb's length apart from each other – Castor and Pollux. For many of us, Gemini will be almost directly overhead at sky dark. (...)
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Astronomy For Kids: Bull Ridin' Taurus

Tammy Plotner — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:13:36 +0000

Now that we've discovered the easy constellation of Orion "The Hunter", it's time to take a look at what else is around! Instead of chasing down game with a bow and magic sword, this time we'll be cowboys and rope the heavenly steer – Taurus – and take him for a ride! There won't be any rodeo clowns to keep us safe. Just you and me and a starry night. Your mission? Locate Orion again. Now connect the three stars that make up his "belt" from left to right and keep drawing the line until you reach the next bright star. What we're looking for is hiding just above Orion's right shoulder… (...)
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Astronomy For Kids: Orion – The Star Hunter

Tammy Plotner — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:10:37 +0000

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! (...)
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Santa Spied at Lunar North Pole…

Tammy Plotner — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:52:38 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Celestial Birds Migrate West?

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:43:47 +0000

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… (...)
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Sky Scouting Out Astronomy Fun!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:31:27 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Sagittarius – Summer Central!

Tammy Plotner — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:49:34 +0000

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. (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Summer Bugs

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:49:05 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy – Ophiuchus: The "Snake Charmer"

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:26:53 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Bootes – The Ancient Herdsman

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:26:04 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy – The Cup and the Raven…

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:00:53 +0000

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! (...)
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Kid's Astronomy: Of Kings and Queens and Royal Things…

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:30:31 +0000

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"… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy – Draco: Enter The Dragon

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:34:10 +0000

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… (...)
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Kid's Astronomy – The Summer Triangle

Tammy Plotner — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:31:35 +0000

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! (...)
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Getting Astronomers Involved in the IYA: Astronomer in the Classroom Program

Nancy Atkinson — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:37:31 +0000

Teaching hands-on astronomy. Credit: N. Atkinson

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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StarGazer's Telescope: Jumpin' Jupiter!

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:35:58 +0000

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… (...)
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StarGazer's Telescope – Last Dance With Mars

Tammy Plotner — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:01:57 +0000

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.(...)
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The Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: June 27-29, 2008

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:27:57 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! It's that time again and darker skies are in our favor for this weekend. Are you working towards Astronomical League studies? Then tag along as we seek out one of the most difficult of all targets – Palomar 5. But don't despair – there's just slightly easier ones to study, too! Come along for the double galaxy ride and the peak of two minor meteor showers as we head out into the night…(...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: June 20-22, 2008

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:19:42 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! As the Moon slowly departs from the early evening scene, we have the chance to start the weekend off with shooting stars as we pass through a branch of the Ophiuchid meteor stream. Over the next few days we'll take a closer look at variable stars, new star clusters and old friends as we head out into the night together…(...)
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SkyWatcher Alert: Moon, Mars, Saturn and More…

Tammy Plotner — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:50:26 +0000

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! As the summer heats up for the northern hemisphere and the winter cools down the southern, we're in for interesting celestial scenery over the next few days. No special equipment is needed – only your eyes and the knowledge of knowing where and when to look….(...)
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World's Strangest Telescope – The IceCube

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:18:03 +0000

Since the 1950s and the beginning of the "space race" scientists have wanted to practice astronomy and particle physics using high-energy neutrinos. So what's stopping them? The challenge of building the kilometer-sized observatory they predict is needed to do the science. Enter IceCube, a revolutionary new design in neutrino detecting telescopes. Deep in the frozen wastelands at the South Pole, the world's most extreme telescope will search for neutrinos from our Universe's most violent astrophysical sources.(...)
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Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast – May 16-18, 2008

Tammy Plotner — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:10:06 +0000

"Everybody dancing in the moonlight… Dancing in the moonlight… Everybody feeling warm and bright… It's such a fine and natural sight… Everybody dancing in the moonlight." Oh! Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! Pardon me while I celebrate the return of Spring and enjoy viewing the Moon. This weekend will be a terrific time for you to dance, too. Talk a waltz around the "Bay of Rainbows" as you view Sinus Iridum and enjoy the cool blues with Spica. You'll be seeing double before the weekend is out. Time to dust off the optics and turn and eye to the sky, because… Here's what's up!(...)
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Happy Space Day!

Nancy Atkinson — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:14:15 +0000

Itâ€™s the first Friday in May; therefore it must be Space Day! Since 1997 people around the world have used this day to celebrate humankindâ€™s accomplishments in our exploration of space, as well as recognizing the benefits and opportunities that space exploration provides. While anyone can celebrate this occasion, the main goal of Space Day is to â€œpromote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers.â€ So, if you can, spend some time today talking about space and astronomy with a young person. Even better: do a space-related activity together….
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What to Look at With Binoculars

Tammy Plotner — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:17:14 +0000

Last week we gave you advice on how to choose a pair of binoculars for astronomy. This week we help you put them to use by viewing some great binocular astronomy targets. Now that the Moon is quickly leaving the early evening skies, we're ready to begin. Just give yourself ample time to allow your eyes to dark adapt. No matter what size binoculars you have, or what your binocular astronomy experience may be, there are things I think you'll enjoy viewing. All you'll need to do is follow the instructions, wait for some clear skies and use the rough location binocular star charts provided. Remember, if you don't have success the first time, try again! Now, if you're ready, then dust off your optics and let's step outside… (...)
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Name a Star

Tammy Plotner — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:08:19 +0000

One of my many hats is as the president of a public observatory, helping people discover the wonders of the night sky. On many occasions people have come into the observatory with a certificate and locater chart to help them find the star they named. Since the fourth century BC, mankind has been looking up at the heavens and assigning names to the stars. Nearly 2400 years later, we're still doing the same thing. Is the process recognized by the science community? Can you really name a star after someone?
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