Go Kids:Alternatives to movies and the mall by Bernice Harrison
The UN has designated 2009 the International Year of Astronomy, so spend the first few days of this new year getting to know the sky above you. Throughout the year, Astronomy Ireland will be running all sorts of events, from public lectures to planet watches, and the best way to enjoy them is to first learn a little bit about the night sky.
The best way to stargaze is to wait for a clear night, lie on the ground in a place that isn't too polluted by street lamps or other artificial light, wait for your eyes to adjust and try to spot stars or planets - a good rule of thumb is that stars twinkle because they are very far away, and so appear as tiny points of light in our night sky. Planets don't twinkle because they are much closer to us. Get a book from the library or download free planetarium software from the internet to will help you identify what's in the sky.
Book in for one of the free open nights in Dunsink Observatory, Castleknock, Dublin, (01-6621333). They are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month during the winter months, and, weather permitting, visitors can view celestial objects through the historic Grubb Telescope (www. backyardvoyager.com/Grubb), and two smaller telescopes.
• Log on to www.astronomy.ie for free e-mail alerts from Astronomy Ireland, which will alert you to what to look for in the sky and when.