Father’s Day is coming up, and if your dad is a space enthusiast, you’re in luck! There are a variety of astronomy gifts that are sure to please him. Here are a few ideas:

• Unique gift: Surprise your father by naming a star after him.

• Telescope: This is a classic astronomy gift that is perfect for any dad who loves to stargaze. There are a variety of telescopes available, so you can find one that is the perfect fit for your dad’s needs and budget.

• Binoculars: Binoculars are another great option for dads who love to look up at the night sky. They are smaller and more portable than telescopes, making them perfect for taking on camping trips or to the beach.

• Star map: A star map is a great way for dads to learn about the constellations and other celestial objects. There are a variety of printed star charts available, plus astronomy apps that dad can install on his phone.

• Space book: There are many great books about space that would make great Father’s Day gifts. Some of our favorites include “The Universe” by Neil deGrasse Tyson, “The Martian” by Andy Weir, and “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson.

• Space-themed clothing or accessories: There are a variety of space-themed clothing and accessories available, such as t-shirts, hats, and mugs. These are a great way for dads to show off their love of space.

No matter what you choose, any of these astronomy gifts is sure to be a hit with your dad. So show him how much you care this Father’s Day with a gift that celebrates his love of space.

Memorial Day Tribute: Naming Stars to Honor Loved Ones and Pets Forever

Honoring departed loved ones and pets through heartfelt star-naming tributes. Stars symbolize eternal beauty and a connection to something greater. Create lasting tributes by associating stars with cherished individuals or companions. Memorial Day holds deep significance, a time to remember and honor the departed. Pay tribute to loved ones by naming stars, and forming personal links with the heavens. Star-naming aids in coping with grief and finding solace in the vast cosmos. Memorial Day serves as a collective remembrance, uniting communities in honoring legacies. Reflect on shared memories with departed loved ones on this special day.

Star names extend remembrance, symbolizing their enduring presence in the night sky. Visit gravesites, hold vigils, and participate in ceremonies on Memorial Day. Honor the impactful legacies left behind by those who have passed away. Naming stars ensures their spirits shine brightly, providing comfort and healing. Stars represent continuity and a connection beyond ourselves, offering solace. Memorializing loved ones through star naming brings comfort and reassurance. Their essence lives on in our hearts and in the stars above. Naming a star as a memorial tribute is a poignant gesture. Link the celestial realm with personal experiences to find solace in grief. Memorial Day strengthens remembrance, honoring those who have departed. Meaningful acts of remembrance ensure the enduring legacies of our loved ones.

When it comes to honoring a deceased loved one or pet, naming a star provides a unique and heartfelt memorialization option. Stars have always held a special place in the human imagination, representing everlasting beauty and a connection to something greater. By associating a star with a cherished individual or companion, we create a lasting tribute symbolizing their enduring presence in our lives.

Memorial Day, an important day of remembrance, holds significant meaning in our hearts. It is a time when we honor those who have passed away, paying tribute to their sacrifices. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity to remember our departed loved ones. On this solemn day, communities gather to commemorate their impact and share cherished memories.

Choosing to name a star after a loved one or pet offers a personal and tangible connection between the heavens and our cherished memories. It acts as a constant reminder of their joy and love, helping us cope with grief and find solace in the vastness of the cosmos.

As Memorial Day approaches, we reflect on the memories and experiences shared with our departed loved ones. It is a time for visiting gravesites, attending vigils, and participating in commemorative ceremonies. Incorporating the act of naming a star into this remembrance can enhance the experience, providing a symbolic representation of their eternal presence in the night sky.

Moreover, memorializing loved ones through star naming helps us find healing and comfort. It offers continuity and a profound connection, reminding us that although they may be physically absent, their essence lives on in our hearts and in the twinkling stars above. This realization, especially on Memorial Day, brings solace and the reassurance of their enduring love.

In conclusion, naming a star to memorialize a loved one or pet is a poignant and meaningful way to honor their memory. It establishes a lasting connection between the celestial realm and our personal experiences, offering solace during times of grief. Memorial Day, a significant occasion of remembrance, complements this act by providing an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to those who have passed away. Combining these elements ensures that the legacies of our loved ones continue to shine brightly, bringing comfort and healing to those left behind.

Chile is a paradise for stargazers of all ages and abilities. Learn about the 100 plus designated “dark sky” reserves and Name a Star’s newest licensee NombraunaEstrella. 

Moonrise over the telescope domes on Cerro Tololo, with the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds visible. (Photo by Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy).

Chile has some of the clearest and most breathtaking views of the night sky in the world. Located in the southern hemisphere, Chile offers a unique perspective on the cosmos, with constellations and celestial objects that are not visible from other parts of the globe.

The Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile, is considered one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. Its dry, clear air and high altitude make for near-perfect conditions for observing the stars. Many professional observatories, including the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory, are located in the Atacama Desert, making it a hub for astronomical research.

But even outside of the Atacama, the rest of Chile offers plenty of opportunities for stargazing. The country has over 100 designated “dark sky” reserves, which are protected areas where light pollution is strictly regulated in order to preserve the beauty and clarity of the night sky. These reserves can be found all over the country, from the Andes Mountains to the shores of Patagonia.

One of the most popular stargazing spots in Chile is the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, located in the Coquimbo region. This observatory is open to the public on certain nights and offers guided tours of the facility and the night sky. Visitors can also take part in a variety of stargazing events and workshops, including astro-photography courses and telescope viewings.

Name a Star is proud to introduce our newest licensee, Name a Star Chile. You can trust them to provide a unique gift for any friend or loved one. Choose Name a Star for any occasion, including birthdays, holidays, employee recognition, or honoring someone who has passed away.

The best time for stargazing in Chile is during the winter months (June-August), when the air is at its driest and the nights are longest. This is also the best time to see some of the more elusive celestial objects, such as the Magellanic Clouds and the southern hemisphere’s version of the aurora borealis, known as the “Southern Lights.”

Overall, Chile is a truly exceptional destination for stargazing, offering unparalleled views of the night sky and a wealth of opportunities for amateur and professional astronomers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just looking to catch a glimpse of the cosmos, Chile has something to offer everyone. If you can’t visit Chile, you can still name a star in the southern hemisphere.

Find bargains for the perfect gift for the skywatcher or astronomer on your 2022 Holiday gift list. Check out the ideas below from Name a Star. Stargazers  from beginner to advanced and young to old.

Know someone who is dreaming of becoming an astronaut, but currently a couch potato?  You could start that special person with a good pair of binoculars. If they are ready for a telescope, don’t waste your money on one that is difficult to assemble or too complicated. Here is a list of quality telescopes ranging from $100 to $2,000.

Don’t be confused by terms like focal length, aperture, reflector, and refractor. A reflector telescope uses mirrors and a refractor telescope uses lenses. A Catadioptric telescope combines the best of all of these features.

There are even travel telescopes, so stargazers can take their passion with them. They are lightweight, compact, and easy to set up. If the recipient lives in an apartment or space is at a premium, then this may be the best choice for them.

A gift of the stars is a great way to involve kids in science and a hobby that could last a lifetime. Get t the whole family off the couch  with the book 50 Things To See With A Telescope.

Not all gifts need to be wrapped. Why not plan an entertaining, yet educational group activity, like learning why the moon has craters? Make a dough out of flour and oil, then drop pebbles on this “moon surface” to see what kind of craters they make.

If your loved one has all of the gear they need, then take them on a dark sky vacation. One of my favorites is Kartchner Caverns. Whether it is a visit to your back yard or a trip to Arizona, get outside to enjoy the night sky.

If you really want to send that special person into space, name a star after them. Name a Star offers a variety of Holiday gifts. You can even put a special message on the certificate of registration letting them know what a special friend they are.

Did you miss all of the summer meteor showers? No worries. The best meteor show of the year is coming in November. Learn the times and techniques for viewing nature’s amazing fireworks.

The Orionids meteor shower is active right now and peaks on October 20 and 21. Unfortunately the moon is near full, so you might not see much. Orionids are named after the constellation Orion, because the meteors seem to emerge or radiate from the same area in the sky as the constellation. Learn more about constellations at Name a Star. The meteors are actually dust from Haleys Comet. Be patient more meteor showers are on the way.

Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids. When comets revolve around the Sun, the dust they emit gradually spreads into a dusty trail around their orbits. Every year the Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.

A little preparation will enhance your meteor watching experience. Most meteor showers are best viewed after midnight, so dress warmly and maybe pack some hot drinks. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. Lay flat to see as much of the sky as possible. A blanket or a beach chair works great.

Find a secluded viewing spot, away from city lights. Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt to the dark. Avoid looking at your cellphone, if you get bored. The bright screen can ruin your efforts to adjust your night vision. Bill Cooke, the lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, suggests “leave your phone inside“.

The Leonids peak during mid-November each year and are bright and colorful. They are also fast: Leonids travel at speeds of 44 miles (71 kilometers) per second. Orient yourself with your feet toward the east. The moon will only be about one third full, so this may be your best chance in 2022 to see meteors. But wait there is more.

The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. The moon will be three quarters full on December 13^th, so consider looking at the Geminids around Thanksgiving or Christmas, when the moon is less bright. Take a friend or loved one out meteor hunting and surprise them with a gift of their very own star from Name a Star.

Looking for a unique Father’s Day gift that gets Dad outside? Check out the ideas below for the stargazing dad from beginner to advanced.

Would dad like to get a closer look at the stars without becoming an astronaut? You could start him out with a good pair of binoculars. If dad is ready for a telescope, don’t waste your money on one that is difficult to assemble or too complicated. Here is a list of quality telescopes ranging from $100 to $2,000.

Don’t be confused by terms like focal length, aperture, reflector, and refractor. A reflector telescope uses mirrors and a refractor telescope uses lenses. A Catadioptric telescope combines the best of all of these features.

There are even travel telescopes, so dad can take it with him. They are lightweight, compact, and easy to set up. If you live in an apartment or space is at a premium, then this may be the best choice for dad.

We are talking about Father’s Day, so let’s get the kids involved. Dad and the kids can have hours of fun with the book 50 Things To See With A Telescope. You could also plan a fun group activity, like learning why the moon has craters. Make a dough out of flour and oil, then drop pebbles on this “moon surface” to see what kind of craters they make.

If dad has all of the gear he needs, then take him on a dark sky vacation. One of the newest dark sky locations is in Name a Star’s backyard at Prineville Reservoir. Whether it is a visit to your back yard or a trip to Oregon, get outside to enjoy the night sky.

If you really want to send dad into space, name a star after him. Name a Star offers a variety of Fathers Day gifts. You can even put a special message on his certificate of registration letting him know what a special dad his is.

Who discovered the most comets, identified the universe’s most common substance, and started the scientific search for extraterrestrial aliens? Women astronomers. Learn their stories.

Women make up only 15% of today’s astronomers, yet they have made some of our most important astronomical discoveries. Let’s hear the stories of three of those amazing women in Part 3 of the Name a Star series on female astronomers.

In the early 1970s, Vera Rubin was part of a team studying the rotation of spiral galaxies. To their surprise, they found that galaxies were rotating so fast that predictions showed they should break apart if the only thing holding them together was the gravity from their visible stars. Rubin and her collaborators hypothesized that some invisible glue — an unseen mass — must be at work. The group’s groundbreaking work provided the first direct evidence of the existence of invisible dark matter, that mysterious stuff that makes up most of the universe but gives off no energy or light. 

Jill Tarter Led NASA’s Search For Extra Terrestrial Intelligence

 Jill Tarter led the search for extraterrestrial life using radio astronomy. Tarter is the co-creator and former director of the Center for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). This nonprofit continues its search and education activities despite Congress refusing to fund this NASA project since 1993.

Famous astronomer and author Carl Sagan based the main character, Ellie Arroway, in his fictional novel, Contact, on Tarter. Jodie Foster played the role in the movie “Contact”.

Carolyn Shoemaker discovered more asteroids (500) and comets (32) than any other astronomer. She became famous in 1993 when she co-discovered Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with her husband Eugene and fellow astronomer David Levy. The comet was orbiting Jupiter in pieces. The next year, its 21 fragments smashed into Jupiter, wowing astronomers everywhere with a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime show. 

Before the Jupiter impacts, a reporter asked her what would happen if all the comet’s fragments were to hit Earth instead. “We would all die,” she answered. The interviewer explained that this was for a children’s program, then posed the question again. Carolyn’s second answer: “We would all be very uncomfortable.”

Honor the woman in your life, by naming a star for her for Mothers Day.