Non-Starry Objects in the Night Sky

Non-Starry Objects in the Night Sky

I was recently hired to give a stargazing and telescope experience at a private dinner party, and the group became fascinated with non-starry objects in the sky. There are so many interesting things to see besides stars, but most people don’t know the difference...
Build a Backyard Compass

Build a Backyard Compass

For thousands of years, people around the world have tracked the sun and created ways of marking the solstices and equinoxes in stone. Literally. Stonehenge, Chaco Canyon, Chichen Itza, and many places like them around the world contain man-made structures and natural...
Light, Darkness, and the Human Eye: How Far Can We See?

Light, Darkness, and the Human Eye: How Far Can We See?

The human eye is astonishingly powerful when it comes to seeing long distances. Even people who don’t have great eyesight can see farther than they realize.   During daylight hours, your eyesight reaches impressive distances.   HALF A MILE The tallest...
What the Heck is a Blood Moon?

What the Heck is a Blood Moon?

When a Full Moon travels completely into Earth’s shadow, we get a total lunar eclipse. Astronomers call it a Blood Moon. It may sound creepy, but it will be beautiful! WHAT IS A BLOOD MOON? What makes it a Blood Moon? On that night, there will also be a total...
Twilight Activity for the Whole Family (or on your own)

Twilight Activity for the Whole Family (or on your own)

Twilight happens twice a day when the sun is just below the horizon, and the sky is filled with a soft glow of light. As the light changes, so does our eye’s ability to see color.   The retina of your eye has rods and cones. The cones allow us to see color during...
7 Tips for Stargazing with Grandparents

7 Tips for Stargazing with Grandparents

Not many people have the privilege of growing up with great-grandparents in their lives as I did. I had four of them living nearby until the end of my teen years, plus my grandparents. My Grandma Joyce stayed with me until I was 40 and loved my kids into their teen...