Science

Exercise

Stargazing 

Purpose: Appreciate spirituality in a scientific context.

Time: 30 minutes

What You Need:

  • A clear night
  • A comfortable spot away from city lights
  • Optional: A star map app, telescope, binoculars

Steps:

  1. Find a Quiet Space: This can be in your backyard, a local park, or a short drive from the city.
  2. Get Comfortable: Bring a blanket or a chair to sit or lie down. The key is to be comfortable so you can focus on the experience.
  3. Look Up: It takes 5 -10 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. So, look at the sky, focus on one spot as you get situated, and immerse yourself in being with the stars. Pay attention to your other senses. Feel the breeze and take in nature’s sounds and smells.
  4. Identify Constellations: Identify a few celestial formations if you have a star map app or constellation guide. This connects you with ancient stories and the wisdom of those who gazed at the same stars long ago.
  5. Reflect: Reflect briefly on your place in the universe after your observation. Consider how you are looking at stars that are thousands of light years away — so far that you may be looking back in time, to light from a star that no longer even exists — as you sit on this beautiful Earth that is part of a vast, majestic cosmos.
  6. Record Your Thoughts: If you’d like, write down your thoughts, feelings, or any insights that came to you during the observation