What’s Up Above? April Stargazing
George Harrison wrote prophetically, “little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter.” For some, spring announces and marks the end of loneliness and the arrival of cherry blossoms, tulips and crocus extended green thumbs, all heralding a season of renewal and rebirth. Winter is over. Yet, for us folks living in the high country,…
What’s Up Above? March Stargazing
I’ll admit it, stargazing is difficult in winter. Especially in February. Even the hardiest hesitate. A crystal clear, cloudless night, dark as motor oil, still beckons you, however. Resolve rises inside and you bundle up.
What’s Up Above? February Stargazing
I’ll admit it, stargazing is difficult in winter. Especially in February. Even the hardiest hesitate. A crystal clear, cloudless night, dark as motor oil, still beckons you, however. Resolve rises inside and you bundle up.
What’s Up Above? January Stargazing
Winter is here. Notwithstanding the fact that since the passing of the winter solstice in late December, and the indiscriminate increasing length of daylight, by approximately one minute per day, the northern hemisphere days remain short with nights that stay deep and long.
What’s Up Above? December Stargazing
Winter is here. In all fullness the shortest day and the longest night arrives on December 21st. Those living in the northern hemisphere at the dawn of humanity saw the autumnal Sun continue to fall in the sky in fear it would not return. The end was near. Yet, the winter solstice took place and…
What’s Up Above? November Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin Used with permission. November is a yin and yang month for stargazers in the northern hemisphere. Daylight Saving Time concludes Nov. 5th, so the sun now sets around 5:00pm. That gives us additional time (and darkness) for stargazing. The spectacular winter constellations begin to rise in the east at a more…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? July Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin July’s arrival tells us to fully step firmly into summer. Not tentatively or with hesitation, the month of July demands our participation. Get outside, inhale a deep breath of fullness. This sensation of “full” abounds all around us. A month full of growth, full of thickness, and full of rich sensations…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? June Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin Let’s have a picnic. Let’s go to the park, run in the grass, and feel summer between our toes. Across the land, the call went out to one and all. Summer is coming! Summer is coming! Cometh one by hazy lazy long days, or cometh two by the cool waters that…
Outdoor Education Highlight: Watersheds & Water Management Curriculum
A few weeks ago, Katie – a science teacher from West Grand Middle school – brought her class up to KSS for an Outdoor Education field trip. She chose Watersheds & Water Management as their curriculum, and the class learned first-hand about water cycles, natural and renewable resources and conservation that paired with the in-class…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? April Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin George Harrison wrote prophetically, “little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter.” For some, spring announces marks the end of loneliness and the arrival of cherry blossoms, tulips extending green thumbs, and suggestions of a renewal in patches of lawn. Winter is over. Yet, for us folks living in the…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? March Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin The night sky in March is different. More of a feeling type of difference, than a celestial difference. March is a month of transition for the celestial dome overhead. Most significant is the vernal equinox, the transition from winter to spring. The returning Sun rides its ecliptic path noticeably higher in…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? February Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin I’ll admit it, stargazing is difficult in winter. Especially in February. Even the hardiest hesitate. A crystal clear, cloudless night, dark as motor oil, still beckons you, however. Resolve rises inside and you bundle up. Just a quick step outside and a fast glancing about for a few moments, you say…
Astro Mark’s Astro Alert: What’s Up Above? January Stargazing
By “Astro” Mark Laurin Winter is here. Notwithstanding the fact that since the passing of the winter solstice in late December, and the indiscriminate increasing length of daylight, the days in the northern hemisphere remain short with nights that stay deep and long. The chilly irony of winter is that while the months of January,…
Discovering Snow Science
As part of our Community Programs at KSS we frequently collaborate with Girl Scouts of Colorado to offer weekend environmental camps. This letter came to Girl Scouts this spring from a chaperone parent who attended the Wonders of Winter: Snow Science and STEM camp in March with her daughter’s troop. We feel so lucky to have the…