This essay, by Aditya Neil Banerjee, 16, a student at Stanford Online High School, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.
We are publishing the work of all the winners over the next several days, and you can find them here as they post.
How to Be a Stargazer
“People rush to buy telescopes when they want to start stargazing,” says Kalée Tock, a science instructor with seven years of experience in astronomy. “You’re looking through the telescope, and it’s pitch black, you don’t know where you’re pointing in the sky because the field of view is really small.” A lifelong science enthusiast, Tock encourages beginners to start their journey with what they already have: their eyes. Naked-eye observation allows you to view entire constellations, rather than focusing on just one object at a time.
To get the most out of stargazing, start by finding a comfortable, dark spot. Somewhere away from streetlights and porch bulbs. Tock reminds her students, “You’re outside, at night, alone … kind of sketch!” So do bring a friend or family member along with you. But apart from safety, she says, “Just having someone to be there with you and think about those stars together, it enhances the experience.”
Once you’ve settled in, give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Tock notes, “Students have a real hard time waiting, even for just 15 minutes,” but stargazing isn’t just about looking up, it’s about having the patience to slow down.
But where should you look? Tock suggests starting with easily-recognizable constellations: the “W” of Cassiopeia, and Orion, with his distinctive red shoulder and blue foot. One of her favorite stars is Delta Cephei in the Cepheus constellation, just to the right of Cassiopeia, which she affectionately calls “our class’s pet star.” You can also use star-locating apps to help guide your gaze, but do turn on the red light filter so your night vision stays intact.
If you’re hoping to spot fainter stars or planets, Tock suggests the averted vision technique. Instead of looking directly at the object, look slightly off to the side. Thanks to the more light-sensitive rods in the edges of your eyes, you’ll see it more clearly than if you stare straight at it.
At its core, stargazing is about reconnecting with the timeless sense of curiosity and wonder. “If all you do today is spot Betelgeuse in the night sky, think about the fact that it might have exploded 100 years ago, and you wouldn’t know about it for centuries until the light reaches you. It’s just kind of mind-bending and fun if you think about it.”
