Take the family stargazing for a fun summer night family activity.
Summer nights and warm weather make the perfect atmosphere for stargazing. Although the nights are shortest at this time of year, and the kids might have to stay up a little later, it’s a great time to head outside and star gaze.
Once the sun has fully set, take the family out of the house and take a look at the stars. There are so many ways that you can identify constellations and planets, whether its an app on your iPad or a website on the computer. Check out Stardate.org for daily stargazing tips of where to find certain planets or stars each day.
For an even closer look at the stars, visit the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore at 601 Light St. The Observatory is open to the public every Friday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., weather permitting. Friday admission to the Observatory is free (does not include access to the museum). Phone 410-545-2999 after 5 p.m. on Fridays to find out if the Observatory will be open that night. Visit the Maryland Science Center website for more information.
Robinson Nature Center in Columbia has a NatureSphere, a digital planetarium and dome-style theater, with programs and movies about the stars. At regular Family Friday nights, families can hear a planetarium presentation before settling beneath the stars for a full-dome movie. Young visitors can get their first taste of astronomy at the center’s weekly Star Storytellers series, too. Visit the Robinson Nature Center website for details.
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