Discovering the Universe with Your Family

Astronomy’s impact on human history is almost as fascinating as the stars themselves. Since the dawn of humankind, the heavens have been a source of wonder and discovery. Sailors navigated the seas, rulers proclaimed their eminence, and cultures sought their destinies, by and in the stars.

Today, the heavens are no less intriguing, no less spectacular, and no less evocative. We still look to the stars with fascination and we continue to probe their origins. The difference is that although we can begin to answer our questions with greater certainties, we are finding today’s truths even more fantastic than yesterday’s fictions.

There was a time when the splendor and the science of the universe belonged only to those who could afford the equipment and understand the computations that were necessary to astronomy. Modern technology has changed all that, bringing astronomy to our backyards and even to our laps. Today, we can all explore the heavens -- we can see the brilliance up close and we can learn about the science. Best of all, we can do it together, as friends and as families.

My fondest memories of my father are the evenings that we spent looking at the stars together. I will never forget our discussions, our journeys to distant worlds, and the way that he directed our path from star to star. Years later, those moments have inspired me to turn out the lights and share the heavens with my own children. With today’s technology, I am able to bring the brilliance and the science even closer than my father could. I can keep my children’s attention a little longer and I can show them very real, very exciting possibilities for their own futures.

The subject of stars and planets is naturally intriguing to young children. However, their wonder can be quickly diminished by pesky insects and bad weather. Their fascination often turns to boredom by too much time spent fumbling with complicated equipment and technical charts. Children need fun, comfort, and certain simplicity. Parents need affordability. Fortunately, there are many exciting, uncomplicated, and very reasonably priced ways to share astronomy with your children.

Many books, of all reading levels, offer colorful pictures and easy-to-understand science. Stock your bookshelves with your children, and without. Share some of the new titles right away; let your children discover others themselves. Some books even feature glow-in-the-dark constellations or pop-up solar systems and galaxies.

Display the evening sky on your children’s bedroom ceiling with a mini planetarium. Some even include recorded commentary. Children can lie in their own beds to pick out constellations and they can fall asleep counting stars instead of sheep. Even less expensive, and no batteries required, are kits with easy-to-apply, self-stick stars and planets. Whether randomly or systematically placed, the glow-in-the-dark objects bring the sky indoors.