Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Several years ago my Dad bought C a telescope for Christmas. She was totally disinterested.
Tonight when she let the dog out, she returned saying she had discovered a star.
I found the telescope in the basement among forgotten Teletubby dolls, rated-G movies and a case of barbies.
We looked at the Big Dipper (if I'm right), Orion's Belt and the Pleiades (again, I think, but who knows if I'm right?). We focused on the blue-ish star from the Big Dipper. She was really excited and came in crying "Daddy, Daddy, it wasn't a new star I discovered but part of the Big Dipper." She said that although she's been to planetariums a lot, and people have pointed out things in the sky before, it was the first time she actually saw a constellation.
I have always loved looking at the stars and when I was her age I wanted to be an astronaut. I used to look at the stars with my Dad. I remember looking at Halley's Comet in the back yard.
She has had that telescope for several years now and never once used it (the Christmas she opened it, I think she went out for 30 seconds, while my Dad and I enjoying it one cold, starry night).
I am so happy that she enjoyed our little encounter.
Hopefully it is only the beginning of a lifelong hobby.
Tonight when she let the dog out, she returned saying she had discovered a star.
I found the telescope in the basement among forgotten Teletubby dolls, rated-G movies and a case of barbies.
We looked at the Big Dipper (if I'm right), Orion's Belt and the Pleiades (again, I think, but who knows if I'm right?). We focused on the blue-ish star from the Big Dipper. She was really excited and came in crying "Daddy, Daddy, it wasn't a new star I discovered but part of the Big Dipper." She said that although she's been to planetariums a lot, and people have pointed out things in the sky before, it was the first time she actually saw a constellation.
I have always loved looking at the stars and when I was her age I wanted to be an astronaut. I used to look at the stars with my Dad. I remember looking at Halley's Comet in the back yard.
She has had that telescope for several years now and never once used it (the Christmas she opened it, I think she went out for 30 seconds, while my Dad and I enjoying it one cold, starry night).
I am so happy that she enjoyed our little encounter.
Hopefully it is only the beginning of a lifelong hobby.
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