If you are thinking about teaching kids about astronomy, there are some good tips that will help you along your way. If you get them started out right, kids will love viewing the night sky and astronomy will easily turn into a great hobby.
The first thing that is important is to have the right equipment. By having what a young astronomer needs, you will be ready for them. That would include things like a telescope that is easy to use for them, a reference guide or star map so they know what to look for, and a little help and support from you.
Once you have the basic equipment, start with something simple. If you shoot too high on your first night a kid may feel frustrated if they cannot see what you see. Start with something foolproof like viewing the moon. If you want to make it more challenging, try to locate the spot of the first moon landing or a famous moon crater. These will challenge your youngster but will also fascinate them to see the moon so close and in such detail.
Once you have mastered something big like the moon, a good next step is to pick the biggest planet in the sky. With a typical home telescope you won’t be seeing dwarf planets like Pluto easily, but Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are well within range. Another great thing to try is a large nebula, as you can really see some color with a good telescope. Show the kids a real photo of what you are observing beforehand to increase the enjoyment of seeing it in real life.
To get a kid started off right in the great hobby of astronomy, follow these simple tips. Get the required gear, start with something that insures success, and then move on to something more challenging. Astronomy is a great hobby for kids and adults alike, so teaching kids about astronomy will pay off for everyone.