05/14/99

Backyard Astronomy

International Astronomy Day is observed each year on a Saturday near the first quarter moon between mid-April and mid-May. This year it falls on May 22. Interested in astronomy?

Stargazing in your backyard is a simple first step. Experts advise us to learn the sky with the naked eye before investing in a pair of binoculars (and don't even think about a telescope yet!) More great advice can be found online in these marvelous sites.

Astronomy for Kids

"Leave it to adults to take something as exciting and beautiful as the sky and make it boring! We are going to have a GREAT time exploring the universe we live in. ... Adults are welcome to join us as long as they behave." Best clicks are Puzzles (for three astronomy-themed word searches) and Sky Maps (for timely advice on what to look for in the sky tonight.) I also liked Planets, where you'll find oodles of good stuff for school reports.

Expert Advice for Backyard Stargazers

Tip number three: "Don't rush to buy a telescope ... Thinking otherwise is the most common beginner's mistake. Half the people who call for help ask, ‘How do I see anything with this %@&*# telescope?' They assumed that making a big purchase was the essential first step." Having made this exact mistake, I'd put this tip in the number one spot! To get the most out of your backyard stargazing, start by reading these helpful tips from Sky and Telescope magazine.

Skywatching from Earth & Sky

Ever wish you had an experienced astronomer standing by your side to guide you to tonight's sky? Meet Deborah Byrd — author of this monthly Skywatching column (my don't-miss-it pick of the week.) "Each day's segment is designed to guide your eye to something you can see that night, or the next morning before dawn. It might be a constellation, a star, or a planet. Or it might be a celestial event, such as an eclipse. Or, just for fun, on some days Deborah might take you (in your imagination) on a trip to another planet, to give you the view from there."

Star Journey National Geographic

The Hubble Space Telescope has been our photographer-in-the-sky since 1990. Circling the Earth every ninety-seven minutes, orbiting 370 miles above our atmosphere, the Hubble sees "ten times more clearly into the cosmos than typical Earth-based equipment; it can see objects one-billionth as bright as the human eye can see." National Geographic's Star Journey is a three- pronged look at the stars: the Hubble Space Telescope, Star Attractions (the constellations), and Star Chart (sky maps superimposed with images from Hubble.)

What Can I See?

"Actually you can see lots of things by just using your eyes. You just have to know where to look and when." Although this page seems to go on forever, and blue on black is a tad difficult to read, there is lots here worth perusing. Scroll down the page to find great info on the phases of the moon, and when the next major meteor shower will occur. Other valuable clicks are Star Light Star Bright, Fun Facts, and Take the Challenge!

Please send questions or comments to feldman@surfnetkids.com.