IN THIS UPDATE:
Announcements
Discovering the Night
Astronomy Campouts - 2014
Seasonal Constellations
The Evening Stars of October
Dear Friends,
We've had some beautiful autumn weather here in Ohio through September and October. It's been great weather for looking at the sky! As much as we love the warm days with the cool nights of fall, we all know what's ahead in the coming winter! I personally love the snow and cold, but the cloudy weather is the hardest part of winter for me, when you might not see a clear sky for weeks at a time, here on the ice-encrusted shores of the Great Lakes. So enjoy the fall season, while it lasts!
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Discovering the Night
A couple newsletters ago, I wrote a lament called "Classical Astronomy - Why Bother?" It did not seem that our efforts to promote Classical Astronomy were succeeding. Many thanks to everyone who sent emails in response. I received over 40 replies from readers, which is new record by far. Most of them were from homeschool moms who thanked me for creating this newsletter, and assuring me how much they liked it and continued to depend on it to keep them informed on upcoming sky events. That's awfully nice to hear, and I appreciate the gesture. However, this is what I wrote in that newsletter:
I have not gotten a strong sense that many students or parents have learned how to directly observe the sky on their own, without relying on this newsletter or other external sources....
I'd like to know WHAT EXACTLY people have learned. Has anyone learned any constellations? Does anyone follow the signs in the sky that mark the passing seasons? Has anyone even come to understand the monthly cycle of the Moon's phases? I'd like to hear some specifics, and find a yardstick for measuring success.
Folks, as much as I appreciate the kind sentiments of support, please understand my meaning. It's not that I was feeling blue and needed a little pat on the back. It's rather that I've devoted most of my adult life to trying to change the world, to restore a forgotten legacy of astronomy, to teach our generation the lost secrets of observing the sky that had been common knowledge for all pre-industrial human history, prior to the 20th century.
Perhaps that's too tall an order for one frazzled homeschool dad, maybe an impossible goal for anyone. Along the way, I've made a lot of personal sacrifices, and made my family endure hardship because of this quest. In return, I've observed a lot of apathy and indifference and conformity to the status quo, especially by homeschoolers.
I always thought the homeschool movement represented modern-day pioneers! Rugged non-conformists, not afraid to go against the grain of modern culture! Modern-day homesteaders who would seek to revive forgotten traditions, to the glory of God! Homeschoolers have taken up lost arts like canning and herbalism, yet most appear blase' and disinterested toward the neglected legacy of Classical Astronomy.
Friends, if we really are who we claim to be as Christian homeschoolers, we have to try harder! We have to kindle a passion for learning, in ourselves and our children, who we hope will be the leaders in the 21st century! The world has abandonded and forgotten Classical Astronomy! We can reclaim this neglected subject area for Christ! But we need to work together! So who's with me? Who wants to change the world for Jesus?
I want our generation to discover and experience The Night. It is the spirit of our age to huddle inside our lighted homes after dark, or while outside, to turn night into day with floodlights. Consequently, we never truly experience the beauty and wonder of being outside in twilight, as night falls, watching the day become the night. Scripture teaches that God made the night, yet we tend to overlook this aspect of the Creation, and most of us never observe the beauty of a dark sky.
I've lately done four outdoor constellation tours here in Ohio. They seemed to be well received, and some groups were very lively and engaged. And then there was that fireball meteor on September 27, at Faith Ranch. I mean, WOW! I've determined that these outdoor programs are much more of a blessing for everyone and more worth my efforts than having me sit inside typing on my computer. So we're going to do our best to bring these lessons outdoors, on the road, maybe to a dark patch near you.
I did get several nice emails from parents telling me what they and their kids have learned from our newsletters and curriculum. It is heartening to hear that many families have indeed learned constellations, Moon phases and other aspects of visual astronomy through this work. I was especially impressed with a long email from long-time Update reader Karen in Connecticut, who listed a great number of things she has learned:
All of the northern constellations, I know the winter constellations along the zodiac line pretty well because that's the time we have the least light pollution to see stuff. I can point out the "regular planets" when they appear and not call them STARS. I am now directionally functional at night because I always know E W N and South because of the constellations.
I understand why the sun dips in the sky and make every effort to explain to anyone who will listen that the sun isn't moving in the horizon, the earth is. I know where our tides are because I pay attention to the lunar phases of the moon (without needing to consult the tide chart).
I understand general phenology of all the seasons so much better because I understand the basic classical astronomy. It even helps me plan my garden because I can plant my vegetables in a place that I know they will have sun regardless if the sun is high or low in the sky-and trees are sending off greater shadows-it makes a difference! You can get a full month more out of your vegetable garden if you know this.
Because of your news letter I've seen 3 lunar eclipses in my lifetime, not to mention countless planetary and lunar conjunctions through the years. So I've seen many amazing things, but also have put the knowledge to work in a practical sense.
Thank you for sharing all that, Karen! It's very encouraging to receive such a progress report! Moms, look at the practical benefits you can obtain by learning what farmers used to know for millennia!
Karen did admit that the rest of her family is not excited about learning the sky as she is. I have the same problem at my house -- astronomy is "dad's thing" around here, and my sons are not very enthusiastic about learning the sky. There is a saying "the shoemaker's son goes barefoot," and it's the same with this astronomer's sons! Maybe other dads have similar experiences in trying to share their passions with their own sons?
Here's an email from Rachel in Arizona, who is having great success with her kids:
I wanted to let you know that I had my 10 and 12 year olds read your book on their own and then answer questions in the test book. It is a very informal way of doing it, I know, but I wanted them to glean for themselves what they could and then we could do the program on a more formal basis when they were a bit older.
We camp a lot and I have heard them discussing different things they learned from reading your book while we are out at night. They do know some constellations now that I'm thinking about it, actually quite a few. My daughter has pointed out several to me that I don't remember. To be honest, I couldn't see what she was pointing out because I did not read your book. I guess I'd better get it out so I can keep up.
My daughter has also discussed with me her appreciation for the quotes you have in your book. She loves to look up the people and read about them. As I recall this conversation came up out of the blue one day when she mentioned it to me.
I'm very encouraging to hear about kids who are so self-motivated and enthusiastic for learning on their own, even surpassing their parent's knowledge. After all, the kids are the future, and the hope for maintaining this astronomy legacy, should it ever be restored. Classical Astronomy should be enjoyable, and is supposed to cultviate a love for learning. I'm especially excited that such young kids are independently using our Signs & Seasons curriculum, even though it is recommended for ages 13 and up. Here's my reply to Rachel:
Sounds like your kids are using the course as intended. It's meant to be an informal, self-guided course (which some moms can't deal with). Field observation of God's world is so much more important than a structured reading program, particularly in a science and nature field of study. So many astronomy books include page after page of dry text with sparse illustrations, presenting factoids about "outer space" and celestial bodies such as the planets. Such a course is worthless IMHO. Why read books about birds and plants and animals, without actually going outside to observe them directly? Such abstract head knowledge has no value without also adding experience. Yet this is how astronomy is ALWAYS taught in every other course. Thank you and your kids for doing it right.
Thanks again to everyone who replied, it's given a measure of hope that maybe my 23 years of striving have not been in vain after all. In the meantime, feel free to drop a line anytime, especially if you have a question about the sky. Eleven years ago, I used to get questions all the time, and this gave me great content for the newsletter. Some of the best newsletter articles came from answers to such questions. Yet it's been many years since I regularly received questions. Thanks!
Classical Astronomy Campouts - 2014
We're currently planning some astronomy campouts for 2014. If you would like to join us on your family vacation, it's not too early to hold some dates. Here are some Classical Astronomy Outdoor Programs that look most feasible at this time for 2014:
Michigan -- Our family is planning a Great Lakes Regional astronomy campout at Muskallonge Lake State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This area is one of the darkest remaining locations in the eastern United States. There are lots of daytime activities for families to enjoy. Here's a MapQuest link showing the location. This location is about a nine-hour drive from Cleveland, and about the same distance from Chicago and Minneapolis. But hey, why not? Families drive for hours and hours to go to Disneyworld, but this campout offers an opportunity to see one of God's rare glories, a pristine, natural, dark sky, as it was created to be seen, a very uncommon sight in today's world. We are planning this campout for Wednesday, August 21 through Sunday, August 24, 2014. So hold those dates! It would be great if we had 10 or 20 families join us.
Virginia -- We are also planning a Mid-Atlantic Region astronomy campout for late spring or summer at Big Meadows on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. This is easily accessible for families in the Washington, D.C. area, or others on the east coast willing to travel. (It'll be a seven-hour drive for us.) It's a nice park, and Mrs. Ryan camped there many times before we had kids, when we lived in the DC area. It's time for us to go back! The above website is currently inactive due to the shutdown, so a date and further details will be announced at a later time.
Ohio -- We are in active stages of planning a homeschool family campout through CHEO. This will be held at one of the many Christian camps in the Buckeye State. Tentatively looking at the last weekend in July, and details will follow!
Dark Sky Devotionals -- Several emails were received expressing interest in a primitive campout for hardy and adventurous men, including a crash course in Classical Astronomy and the Biblical basis thereof. Currently considering Spruce Knob, West Virginia, a very remote site, the highest peak in the eastern USA, which also happens to be another of the darkest locations east of the Mississippi. No firm plans as yet, but details will be announced
Several other events have been discussed, and details will be announced if/when any specific plans materialize.
Seasonal Constellations
The Evening Stars of October
Autumn nights can be cool and crisp, and the stars can be seen glittering like jewels. In the evening sky, the stars of late summer are still lingering overhead as night falls, such as the Summer Triangle. The constellations associated with autumn are clearly seen overhead after midnight, including the Great Square of the constellation Pegasus. And in the early hours after midnight, night owls like me can see the dazzling winter constellations rising up in the east, including mighty Orion and his friends.
I hope everyone is enjoying these constellations during these clear nights of October. In case you have not yet learned the stars of the Summer Triangle, don't let another clear evening pass by!
Our "Signs & Seasons" method of teaching the constellations starts with learning the bright "first magnitude" stars. These are the brightest stars in the sky, and can be seen from everywhere, including light-drenched urban neighborhoods like ours. There are only 15 first magnitude stars in the sky, visible at various times of day throughout the four seasons of the year. Can you learn 15 stars over the span of a year? If so, you can learn the constellations from your own backyard.
In October, the Summer Triangle still lingers overhead in the early evening, as seen from most of North America, Europe and northern Asia. The Summer Triangle is a big triangle formed of three first magnitude stars -- Deneb, Vega and Altair. Have your family pitch a blanket in your backyard, and lay down on it during twilight, and watch these three stars come out, directly overhead. Deneb and Vega are to the north, and Altair is further down to the south. Keep an eye on the Summer Triangle, as you will still be able to see it in the coming months, swinging into the northwestern sky as new stars pass overhead.
Less obvious are the other stars that form the constellations within the Summer Triangle. But the visibility of these stars can help you gauge the darkness quality of your sky. If you can find Deneb, you should be able to pick out some of the stars of Cygnus, the Swan. Many of the stars of this constellation are bright enough to be easily spotted from the city. Also, Cygnus does look rather like a long-necked bird in flight. This constellation is also known as the Northern Cross, as it has a distinct cruciform shape.
Other than bright Vega, less obvious are the stars of Lyra, the Lyre. This pattern looks like a squashed parallelogram of dim stars. You should have no problem spotting the bright-ish star near Altair, but more challenging is the diamond shape of stars that make up Aquila, the Eagle.
If you live in a rural area, you ought to see the Milky Way overhead, passing through the Summer Triangle. Within this misty belt of stars is Sagitta, the Arrow, a faint constellation indeed, and not visible from the city. Outside the Milky Way, just east of Altair, is Dephinus, the Dolphin, with a little diamond head and a short tail of stars.
Below the Summer Triangle, within the southern Milky Way, is Sagittarius, the Archer. Not sure how ancient people found an Archer in these stars, but this constellation clearly looks like a modern-day teapot! You'll need a dark sky with a clear, flat horizon to easily spot Sagittarius. This constellation is notable for being the point in the sky where the Sun reaches on the winter solstice, the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year.
The above image is from page 128 of our
Signs & Seasons curriculum, and a detailed discussion of this part of the sky can be found in that section. If you live in the city, don't worry if you can't see all those stars, but you can still learn the Summer Triangle, and find the fainter constellations if you ever visit the countryside during the nighttime.
You might have a hard time finding the Big Dipper this month. In this season, this collection of stars is low to the west of Polaris, the North Star in the early evenings, but sinking lower toward the trees as the hours progress. You might still be able to see the "handle" of the Dipper above the tree tops.
However, autumn is a great time to learn the constellation Cassiopeia (pronounced "Cassy-O-Pee-a"). This grouping is supposed to be a queen sitting in a chair, part of the Perseus myth represented by many constellations in the autumn sky. Cassiopeia is easy to find, especially if you live in more northern latitudes. For folks in Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest, this constellation might be in the treetops unless you can get somewhere with a clear northern horizon.
After dark, look to the north to find the North Star. To the east of Polaris, that is, to your right, Cassiopeia appears as a pattern of five stars forming a number "3." No kidding! In fact, Cassiopeia is on the opposite side of the North Star from the Big Dipper. This is one of the easier constellations to learn. If you make it point in October to learn Cassiopeia, it will help you in coming coming months to learn the stars of the winter sky.
Don't worry if you cannot pick out all the stars of the Little Dipper. Except for the North Star and two stars in the "bowl," the stars of the Little Dipper are very faint, and not easily spotted unless under a very dark rural sky.
The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia and the North Star are "second magnitude" stars, not the brightest in the sky, but certainly very conspicuous. There are only 75 second magnitude stars visible from the northern hemisphere, and are included in the brightest constellations. Together with the 15 first magnitude stars, there are 90 stars conspicuously seen from the northern hemisphere. Can you learn 90 stars over the span of a year? If so, you are well on the way to learning all the constellations.
Til next time, God bless and clear skies,
