Fnding an activity that everyone in the family is _appy to take part in can be challenging, if you've ever „ried to arrange a family movie night, you'll be familiar with the struggle! One activity that you can easily do as a family is practical astronomy. You may have children of different ages, with teenagers hesitant to join in. You may have family members with mobility problems or those who think they're not interested in astronomy. Practical astronomy is fun and can be adapted to suit all needs and interests.
We re going to look at some stargazing activities that can be done all year round, but the winter months are ideal as it gets dark early, so young children won't need to stay up late. You don't need expensive equipment: just dress warmly, get yourself a red-light torch, a star chart or planisphere and find a place in your garden or local park where you're shielded from streetlights. There are also great night-sky apps to try; remember to turn your phone screen red and the brightness down, to help your night vision. Perhaps the best advice of all, though, is to take things at your own pace and have fun!
