Classical Astronomy The blog of the Classical Astronomy Update, a free email newsletter especially for Christian homeschool families about astronomy happenings in the night sky (though everyone is welcome!) Also, watch this space for progress reports about "Signs and Seasons," the author's upcoming homeschool astronomy curriculum! 
Subscribe to the Classical Astronomy Update! An Astronomy Email Newsletter Especially for Christian Homeschoolers! Recent EntriesThe Sky This Month for July, 2008The Sky This Month for June, 2008 See Saturn in the constellation Leo Backyard Compass - Winter Solstice Backyard Compass - The Autumnal Equinox Backyard Compass Signs & Seasons Animation "Potentially Habitable Planet"??? Astronomers Explain Away Young Universe Evidence Signs & Seasons - Classical Astronomy Curriculum 
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Backyard CompassIn Signs & Seasons, our first field activity is to make a "backyard compass" that will help orient the observer to the compass points while making observations of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Here's a pic of my 13yo son Happy standing in the backyard compass he and his younger brothers made.
The boys made it their little busy project, which is always a lot of fun for their Mom to watch. They did a fine job. The compass is slightly off from true north and south, but it does the trick. We had a hard time finding enough round paver stones so we used bricks for the intercardinal points, NE, NW, SE and SW. Note that Happy's shadow is very short. This shot was taken on about June 17, very close to the summer solstice. If we come back on the equinox, his shadow will be about his height, and on the winter solstice his shadow will be twice as long as that. Also note that his shadow is slightly pointed to the west. This tells you that it's not quite "High Noon," which occurs at about 1:30PM in our longitude during daylight savings. Let us know how it goes if your kids make a backyard compass. Send us a pic and we'll post it. Leave a Comment Leave a Comment |
