Moonless nights are especially magical.  Looking up at the stars and wondering what is out there and who could be looking back has fascinated me, and collectively, us for as log as there has been an “us.”

 I’m no astronomer but as I look into the night sky I marvel at the constellations that I can name and stare at the beauty of the fuzzy and colorful arm of the Milky Way Galaxy that spans north to south across the dark sky.  It’s a patchwork of nebulae, stars, planets, and galaxies that, to the naked eye, seems like just a random collection of points of light. 

The ancients, however, saw the patterns and grouped the stars into clusters and named them after animals and mythical creatures.  The constellations, or groups of stars, creep across the night sky as the earth rotates and for those willing to stay up, provides quite a show in the dark hours of the day.

As my kids get older, they are becoming fascinated with the stars, the sky, and all it holds.  Recently, I stood in a pasture with both of my kids - well away from the lights of town - stared up and once again, wondered. 

I pointed out Polaris (the North Star) and told out to them how it was the end of the “handle” on the Little Dipper and showed them how to find it by lining up the two ends of the “pot” on the Big Dipper and using them as a pointer.  I discussed at length the significance of the North Star and how it’s been used as a navigational aid by explorers and adventurers for decades. 

Next we look at the Pleiades and then at Orion but after that, I was stumped and I couldn’t positively identify any more.

 Well, there is an app for that.

In the pasture that night I downloaded an app called Star Walk.  Also available for the iPad, Star Walk is an amazing piece of software.  Using the integrated GPS and gyro capabilities of the phone and tablet, Star Walk give you an augmented reality view of the night sky.  In other words, wherever you point it, it will help you identify stars, constellations, and satellites visible at that time in the night sky. 

Furthermore, it constantly updates so as the earth rotates and the object in the night sky change position, the app always gives accurate feedback.

While we were using the app to learn about the night sky, my daughter noticed that a satellite was moving across my phone screen.  Immediately we looked in the direction the screen said it should be and spotted it - a tiny pinpoint of light moving swiftly from southeast to northwest.  She touched the info button on the phone and we found out that it’s a telecommunications satellite launched in 1997 and it orbits 483 miles above the earth.  Not only does it give satellite info but also the scoop on each constellation and planet.  Amazing.

After a couple of hours and a few mosquito bites we headed in for the night.  The next day my kids couldn’t stop talking about our experience and what they learned.

 They are hooked.

Any questions or comments?  Contact Russell at russell@russellgraves.com or visit his website at www.russellgraves.com