 | Marisa Honomichl is Vice President of Marketing and Development at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. The Cosmosphere houses one of the largest collections of space artifacts in the world including the Apollo 13 space capsule. The mission of the Cosmosphere is “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future of Space Exploration.” This is accomplished through educational programming such as space exploration camps for students in the summer. Feel free to contact the Cosmosphere for more information on their camps and programming at (800)397-0330 or visit www.cosmo.org. |
Science
2009-12-01 10:17:00
Go out and look up!
Answer: If you are anything like me during the holiday season you find yourself running around in ten different directions trying to keep up with work, make the holidays fun for all (except yourself) and other than the annual turkey coma you have little time to rest and enjoy the season. The old saying about taking time to smell the roses doesn’t apply much when nothing is in bloom but there is one reliable resource to help you relax this season…look up!
As the nights get darker earlier this time of year, those of us in Kansas have a great view of an absolutely amazing star field at night. In fact winter is the best time for stargazing because there is less “stuff” to inhibit viewing. I admit it can get cold, but a good coat or sleeping bag can fix that and there is something about breathing in that crisp cool air that seems to refresh you when life becomes overwhelming. Unlike summer nights, fall and winter evenings are so quiet, just the wind and the neighborhood pets and you.
You don’t need a lot of equipment to enjoy the view either. This year is the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope but most of us are fine with our own two eyes or maybe a set of binoculars. It’s easier to find the constellations by just looking around. You can even make it a family event if you want to. I find even teenagers will venture away from the TV when they see their parents bundled up and parked in their lawn chairs on the back porch. After they ask why you are so strange the conversation will usually take a pleasant turn and when they look up I guarantee the view will interest them even if they don’t admit it out loud.
Little people like the stars too, but be prepared for lots of questions and pointing. Here at the Cosmosphere we use a green laser pointer to show large groups where constellations are. This is a great tool for parents to use with youngsters and they are easy to find and inexpensive. If you need a lesson yourself on what is out there you can visit www.space.com and click on Nightsky. By entering in your zip code it will show you what will be visible in your area that evening.
Try not to get too technical though, it’s perfectly acceptable to just go out there, look up and enjoy the quiet.
