Lighten up for Auroras

 

You may know of Princess Aurora (also known as Sleeping Beauty), but do you know about the original auroras: bright dancing lights in the sky? Brighten up your life with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Let NASA enlighten you about auroras at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/aurora/en/
•  Watch the science behind the northern lights at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-MfBKx4Bc
• Read 20 Aurora Borealis facts you will love to know at https://hello-aurora.com/blog/20-aurora-facts

 

CREATE:

• Make a magical northern light sky with pastels at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo8wee7blQ4
• Or paint the aurora with ice cubes at https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/pdfs/Paint-The-Aurora-With-Ice-Cubes-Activity.pdf
• Check the Aurora Tracker to find out if you can see the Aurora right now at https://www.explorefairbanks.com/explore-the-area/aurora-season/aurora-tracker/ and check out the Aurora live webcam on this website.
• Create an aurora borealis with milk, oil and food coloring at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YglrrA2XQ5Y

 

CARE:

• Auroras are typically seen in areas that are very cold. Stay warm with these tips: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx
• There is often ice in areas where auroras are seen. Stay ice-safe with these tips: https://www.blacklinesafety.com/blog/6-tips-for-dealing-with-black-ice
• Auroras are best seen in wilderness areas. Be prepared for the wilderness with these tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBQfaxDiGlw

 

CAREERS:

Want your career to light you up? You would be a scientist, an engineer, a meteorologist (weather expert), a photographer, a tour guide, and more. Light up with these sample career tips.

• https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/a-physicist-explains-the-shimmering-science-behind-auroras/
• https://globaledge.msu.edu/blog/post/57349/the-northern-lights-tourism-industry
• Meteorologists https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npwXgH5t3o0&t=3s

 

Light Up the Stars!

• What’s a lot older than the movie stars? The star  every day: the Sun! Depending on where you live, you may few or many stars, some of them billions of years old.  Gaze at the following activities as you gaze at the sky of stars.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the life cycle of different kinds of stars at https://youtu.be/PeNuj2GH8xg
• Connect the star “dots” into constellations by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3cnBr6KwA
• The sun is earth’s most important star; see why at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkW54j82e9U
• Have you heard of the Northern Lights? They are started by the sun. See how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MI3YDGgtN4

 

CREATE:

• Start stargazing with this kid’s guide: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/astronomy/a-kids-guide-to-stargazing
• Maker a star finder by following the directions at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/starfinder/en/
• Set your eyes on the hands-on star activities at https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/stars/index.php
• Have fun with the sun-ny activities at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/menu/sun/

 

CARE:

• Discover how the sun star affects the earth at https://youtu.be/i_jiQzoQF5M
• Enjoy This picture book, which tells how to safe from the sun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ghJsZug60&t=67s
• It can be hard to see many stars. Why? Because of Light pollution! See its basis at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gYIeT6GrkA. And see the difference at https://youtu.be/HHLnnXgDUgc
• Are we made of stardust? Explore the possibilities at https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/are-we-really-made-of-stardust.html

 

CAREERS:

Do you get stars in your eyes thinking about stars? Your future career may lie in the stars: as an astronomer or other kind of scientist, teacher, photographer, or planetarium director. See the possibilities that follow:

1. How do you become an astronomer? Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ZW3nVfe5A
2. https://www.iau.org/public/themes/careers/
3. https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy
4. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/astronomy-jobs