June 15, 2020 | kimba
A magnificent way to enjoy the summer is to grab a sleeping bag, head to the back yard and gaze up at the night sky. "Observe the Night Sky" 62 Days 62 Ways square encourages you to spend some time under the stars. The other night sitting around my backyard campfire I saw 15 bats, heard a screech owl and saw the stars and moon emerge like a hidden world. Instantly relaxing! Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
- Tips for Astronomy for Beginners
- Consider downloading a free app like SkyView to help you identify constellations and enhance your experience.
- You can see what planets are visible in the sky tonight from Canton!
- Know when significant events are happening, like the Perseid Meteor Shower August 12-13, with the 2020 Guide to Meteor Showers, Supermoons in Michigan.
Activities:
- Follow the Perseverance Rover to Mars in a live webcast on June 30, 2020!
- Catch magnificent views of the Perseid meteor shower during "Meteors & S'mores" at participating Michigan state parks Aug. 8-15, 2020.
- If you have an urge to get creative check out Creativebug Embroidered Constellations class. (CPL card required)
- "Out of This World" Constellation Activities for Kids
- NASA at Home has activities for the whole family.
- Visit a Michigan Dark Sky Preserve - Many have activities throughout the summer!
- Enjoying the night sky? Consider making a night of it and camp out and fulfill your "Backyard Camp Out" 62 Days 62 Ways square!
Resources:
Children will see the stars shining brightly right in their own room with this glow-in-the-dark introduction to the night sky. Each constellation sparkles brilliantly on the page, thanks to the special ink that illuminates the lush artwork. And even as the luminous illustrations encourage stargazing, the kid-friendly text presents a perfect mix of simple science and storytelling. It's an appealing, interactive approach to a popular subject. Check out other kid-friendly night sky titles and emedia.
A starry night is one of nature's most magical wonders. In The End of Night, Paul Bogard restores our awareness of the spectacularly primal, wildly dark night sky and how it has influenced the human experience across everything from science to art. Bogard blends personal narrative, natural history, science, and history to shed light on the importance of darkness -- what we've lost, what we still have, and what we might regain -- and the simple ways we can reduce the brightness of our nights tonight. Check out other night sky titles and emedia.
Head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!