Winter Night Sky

When Daddy came home with a few things from the store, we all piled outside to help. We were delighted when we saw an almost full moon. And two of the children saw the ‘man in the moon’ for the first time. We went back in for supper and all the evening craziness. All the while anticipating getting back outside to try and spot the fly over of the International Space Station (ISS).

Pj-clad, we went back out. While waiting for the ISS pass over, the children counted stars. Littlest loved the airplanes all lit up. Hodgepodgedad helped the others find the little dipper, Mars and Venus.

Though we missed seeing the ISS (we later checked and it was low on the horizon, behind the tree line), we had a great time soaking up the night time winter sky.

“That was fun!” Back inside we sketched what we had seen so we could remember this night.

“I saw a smiley face constellation!” littlest girl declared.

Middle girl pulled out the night sky field guide. Eldest boy showed her how to recognize the big and little dippers.

“When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him?” Psalm 8: 3-4

We’ll be peeking at the moon – officially full tomorrow night – over the next few nights. Clear skies are forecast!