Sparked by the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, this has been the summer of the night sky for us! We are learning all about our solar system and beyond. Recently, my boys have been exploring the constellations, learning the myths behind them and practicing spotting their favorites in the night sky. While some of our resources have included a wonderful play at our local library as well as some fantastic books — we especially recommend Govert Schilling’s Constellations — many of the best guides we’ve found are completely FREE! So pack your moon pies and get ready for a great evening of star gazing with these awesome picks!
15 Constellations Every Man Should Know
Is it weird that I’m a woman but love reading articles from The Art of Manliness? Well, either way, here are fifteen constellations everybody should know, complete with great illustrations and succinct retellings of the Greek myths. This article provides great background information to orient you to some of the most important Northern Hemisphere constellations. (Apologies, Southern Hemisphere.
Night Sky App
A wide range of stargazing apps are available for iOS and Android. You can browse several options here, but my favorite by far has been Night Sky, which combines augmented reality, illustrations of the constellations, and tons of information all for free. Like most apps, they offer a paid upgrade, but many features that you’ll pay for on other apps are included free with Night Sky.
Last but certainly not least, inquire at your local library. In addition to books and star maps, you may be surprised to find other wonderful resources. Our library, for instance, offers telescope rentals!
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