Summertime Stargazing

<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"> <i>Published in <a href="http://princewilliamliving.com/2014/06/prince-william-living-july-2014/" target="_blank">Prince William Living</a></i></div> <div class="mceTemp" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <dl class="wp-caption alignleft" data-mce-style="width: 410px;" id="attachment_20675" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: #f3f3f3; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); float: left; margin: 10px 0px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 410px;"> <dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="Star Chart Image 2" class="wp-image-20675" data-mce-src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Star-Chart-Image-2.jpg" height="622" src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Star-Chart-Image-2.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="400" /></dt> <dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">This summer, take your little ones on a tour to infinity and beyond from the comfort of your own backyard. To prepare for liftoff, know where you’re going and what you might see. Download this free printable sky chart, customized to the Northern Virginia sky.</dd></dl> </div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> We’re all captivated by the wonder of our galaxy—its faraway planets, many moons and falling stars. On clear summer nights, this vast expanse seems to beckon us to journey into deep space. Though you can’t climb into the family rocket and take a spin—not yet, anyway—you can take your little ones on a tour to infinity and beyond from the comfort of your own backyard.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> To prepare for liftoff, it helps to know where you’re going and what you might see. After all, your kids will have lots of questions. You may have a star chart at home, but if not, I have created one for you to download and print <a data-mce-href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Yf-A1HgvE2eE5yMzVTd0xRMGM/edit?usp=sharing" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Yf-A1HgvE2eE5yMzVTd0xRMGM/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> You can also visit Sky and Telescope magazine’s <a data-mce-href="http://www.skyandtelescope.com" href="http://www.skyandtelescope.com/">website</a> and click on “This Week’s Sky at a Glance” to learn more about upcoming celestial events. Or you can download the Google Sky Map app to help locate celestial objects from your location.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> You will also need an open horizon or view of the sky in an area that has low light pollution. A telescope is nice for viewing deep space objects and details on planets in our galaxy, but you can see them with a good pair of binoculars as well. Visit http://astronomyindc.org/places.shtml to see a list of local observatories, astronomy clubs, planetariums and space camps.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <br /></div> <div class="mceTemp" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <br /></div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong>Start with the Moon</strong><br /> The moon is the largest and brightest object in the night sky. That makes it a good place to start family observations. Use a landmark in your yard to keep track of where and when the moon rises each evening. You do not need a telescope to see details on the moon. A set of binoculars will do nicely.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> Watch how the moon crosses the sky each night. As time passes, your kids will see all of its phases. Explain that it doesn’t make its own light. As the moon circles Earth, the sun lights different parts of the lunar body. That’s why the moon’s shape seems to change. When the moon is full, look at its pattern of light and dark patches. Explain to your kids that the dark areas are large, flat lava plains. The light areas are hilly and full of craters. The largest full moon this year will be on the night of Aug. 10.<br /> <br /></div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <a href="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Virginia-Moon-1-800x533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Virginia Moon 1" border="0" class="wp-image-20671" data-mce-src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Virginia-Moon-1-800x533.jpg" height="212" src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Virginia-Moon-1-800x533.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="320" /></a></div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong>Reach for the Stars</strong><br /> The best time to see stars is on a moonless night. As soon as your family gets settled, ask everyone to close their eyes and count to 100. This will help your eyes adjust to the darkness. When you open them again, stars will seem to fill every corner of the sky. Ask your children how many stars they think there are. The universe contains billions of them, but we can only see about 2,000.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong><br /></strong></div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong>Pick a Planet</strong><br /> The first “star” you see at night might be a planet. How can you tell? Stars twinkle, but planets give off a steady light. Like the moon, a planet doesn’t make its own light. It reflects the light of the nearest star, the sun. Planets are smaller than stars, but they look big and bright to us because they are much closer to Earth.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> Most planets will be hard to spot this summer, but Jupiter and its four largest moons, the Galilean moons, will be in the ideal position for viewing in July and August. You’ll need  binoculars or a telescope, so be sure your children have practiced using them before the big night.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong><br /></strong></div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong>Meet Some Meteors</strong><br /> A shooting star is really a meteor—a bright streak of light that we see when a small rocky body from space enters Earth’s atmosphere. You can see them any night of the year, but there are two excellent opportunities this summer:</div> <ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <li>Look for the Delta Aquarids meteor shower from July 21 to Aug. 23. The flashes of light will radiate from the constellation Aquarius. The best viewing will be July 27-28 after midnight, when the moon has set.</li> <li>The Perseids meteor shower will produce up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak Aug. 11-12. Look toward the constellation Perseus in the northeast after midnight. The Perseids are particles released from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system.</li> </ul> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <strong><img alt="Milkyway" class="aligncenter wp-image-20678 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Milkyway-800x532.jpg" height="532" src="http://princewilliamliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Milkyway-800x532.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="800" /></strong><br /> <strong>Spot a Spacecraft</strong><br /> Shooting stars last just a few seconds. If you see a steady light cruise across the sky, it’s probably a spacecraft—a satellite, the space shuttle or the International Space Station (ISS)—orbiting Earth.</div> <div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> It will be easy to spot the ISS all summer long. To find out where and when to look, visit www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/ realdata/sightings. Click on “Go to Country” in the “Sighting Opportunities” box, and then select your state and town. Once you’ve spotted the spacecraft, watch your child’s interest in astronomy shoot to the moon.</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 19px;"> <br /></div>

Summertime Stargazing

Published in Prince William Living This summer, take your little ones on a tour to infinity and beyond from the comfort of your own ba...

DIY Marshmallow Roasting Sticks and Mason Jar Solar Light

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Droid Sans, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21.666667938232422px;"><i><a href="http://princewilliamliving.com/2014/06/kids-outside-nature/" target="_blank">Published in Prince William Living</a></i></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> Unplug and head outside. That’s the idea behind the National Wildlife Federation’s popular, nationwide Great American Backyard Campout.™ In conjunction with Great Outdoors Month, this annual June family event encourages people of all ages to camp in their backyards, neighborhoods, parks and campgrounds, as a way to reconnect with nature.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> This year’s event is Saturday, June 28. “Kids need to experience camping, especially in their youth when the wonders of the outdoors can influence their future love for nature and wildlife,” said Maureen Smith, chief marketing officer for the National Wildlife Federation®, America’s largest conservation organization. National Wildlife Federation programs educate and inspire Americans to protect wildlife and its habitat for our children’s future.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOCbNVUqneYL1y2aANZK06XfMWzu8WdTS-83CgUcGDsqRTJIJ5cPvvW21KwkIhEQjIJyneVmY4VtxRt5kHCp85cWg3rbo9CunWNlfLVg9ra0-71-7vJ1409uAvdy32B48CDeTbejUSzow/s1600/GABC+LOGO+STACKED+600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOCbNVUqneYL1y2aANZK06XfMWzu8WdTS-83CgUcGDsqRTJIJ5cPvvW21KwkIhEQjIJyneVmY4VtxRt5kHCp85cWg3rbo9CunWNlfLVg9ra0-71-7vJ1409uAvdy32B48CDeTbejUSzow/s1600/GABC+LOGO+STACKED+600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> There are a lot of benefits to taking your kids camping. “In addition to developing a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and the wildlife around them, through camping in their backyard or at a local park, being in nature helps to burn off energy, stay fit and be mentally focused for school, homework and all activities in their busy day,” Smith said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> For its Great American Backyard Campout, the National Wildlife Federation provides nearly everything you need to head out into the great outdoors. The event website(www.backyardcampout.org) has packing lists, recipes, nocturnal wildlife guides, exploration activities, nature games and more.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> Now in its 10th year, the event is part of the organization’s 10 Million Kids Outdoors campaign, a three-year initiative to get kids outside regularly, connecting to nature. According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), which supports the National Wildlife Federation campaign, increasingly fewer American children are playing outside, from 75 percent a generation ago to only 25 percent today. The goal of the federation’s initiative is “creating a generation of happier and healthier children with more awareness and connection to the natural world,” according to the NRPA (www.nrpa.org).</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> The National Wildlife Federation has worked to connect youth with nature for decades, inspiring children through its Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr. magazines, working with educators to get kids learning outdoors and helping parents find new ways to engage their children outside.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> For the past two years, my son and I have participated in the National Wildlife Federation’s camping event. Prior to moving to Prince William, we lived in a small town in rural Alabama. So camping in our backyard was very much like being in the middle of the woods. Instead of just throwing up a tent and heading to the backyard, I like to try to make things as exciting as possible. We work on crafts the week before and get our grocery list for the things we will want to cook on our campfire.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgK8hyphenhyphenI5ssd_hCZhLNZiI_awWE6YpiypSx4HIW7vGZ7bp34wj-cWpDMsTHBq9P37Oav8wu3_3SVOD0_vLu0iRIP2kBj0yARdgBy5AE2-4r_r3Uvqi1FDSZZLETGl0uYNs-n9rbRQHevxL/s1600/562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgK8hyphenhyphenI5ssd_hCZhLNZiI_awWE6YpiypSx4HIW7vGZ7bp34wj-cWpDMsTHBq9P37Oav8wu3_3SVOD0_vLu0iRIP2kBj0yARdgBy5AE2-4r_r3Uvqi1FDSZZLETGl0uYNs-n9rbRQHevxL/s1600/562.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> Of course, no campout can be complete without making s’mores. Here are simple steps to creating your own custom marshmallow roasters. I spent a total of $3 in supplies for this affordable craft, and kids will love being able to use their creativity to design their own.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Materials</span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 25px 10px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Long round wooden dowel 1 inch in diameter</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Sandpaper</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Metal skewers</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Industrial-strength glue</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Paint</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Sponge brushes</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Clear wood sealer spray paint</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Twine, buttons, scrapbook papers and other supplies to decorate (optional)</li> </ul> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px none; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Directions</span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 25px 10px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Cut the wooden dowel into about 6-inch lengths. Drill a hole in the bottom for skewers and, if making a string handle, also through the top for the twine or yarn. Sand the edges.</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Decorate your dowels as desired and allow them to dry. Use clear wood sealer spray paint to coat the dowels and let that dry completely.</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Clip the end of your metal skewers and add adhesive to the end. Insert the skewer into the bottom of your dowel.</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Add your twine for the handle along with any buttons or other decor items you want to use.</li> <li style="border: 0px none; list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 5px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"> Before roasting food, burn the end of the metal stick in the fire for a few minutes to burn off any residue.</li> </ul> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1iDOhq9lKLSUI1x1tBX8Arl1IAwv5ffl6vSwOGmYDugT8oiu3Ip8cD0oZ9NAaasn1BObpof63PGtNar8tKMbaJLftTlKwttMfQo0qc3vvnyJqk9kwokzbhGUwfAMke3wc8bbaSczXIJK/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1iDOhq9lKLSUI1x1tBX8Arl1IAwv5ffl6vSwOGmYDugT8oiu3Ip8cD0oZ9NAaasn1BObpof63PGtNar8tKMbaJLftTlKwttMfQo0qc3vvnyJqk9kwokzbhGUwfAMke3wc8bbaSczXIJK/s1600/003.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> Also, lighting is always important when camping. You can create this Mason jar solar lantern with a basic Mason jar and a $1 solar light. Uncap the solar light from its stand. Remove the inner portion of the jar lid and secure the solar light to the top. I used hot glue and twine on this one. Use some heavy wire to wrap around the edge of the jar and create your hanger. Your new lantern will now easily hang from inside your tent. You could also skip hanging it and just set it out on the ground or your camp table.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 21.666667938232422px; list-style: none; outline: none; padding: 1em 0px;"> For more information about the National Wildlife Federation, visit <a href="http://www.nwf.org/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px none; color: #aa1e38; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">www.nwf.org</a>. To learn more about its campout event, go to <a href="http://www.backyardcampout.org/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px none; color: #aa1e38; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">www.backyardcampout.org</a>.</div>

DIY Marshmallow Roasting Sticks and Mason Jar Solar Light

Published in Prince William Living Unplug and head outside. That’s the idea behind the National Wildlife Federation’s popular, nationwide...