What if They Let YOU Run the Hubble?

What if They Let YOU Run the Hubble?

It is probably the dream of any amateur astronomer to be able to be the boss of one of the great multi million dollar telescopes even if it was just for one hour or for a few shots.  Sure, we can have a lot of fun with our binoculars.  And as we improve our personal equipment set, we get better and better at pinpointing what we want to see in the sky.

But there is only so far we can go within the constraints of a family budget in building the perfect telescopic operation.  Probably the next level then is to work together with others in your astronomy club.  By pooling our resources, we can make more progress both in acquiring much more sophisticated equipment and in synchronizing our telescopic operations.

All of this is good and its fun to tweak it and play with it always finding improvements.  But when we are sitting back and dreaming, it’s those big institutional size telescopes that really grab our interest.  Maybe you have had a chance to visit one at Kitt Peak, Arizona, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, Palomar Mountain, California or Mt. Locke, Texas to name just a few and as you walked around jaw dropped to your shoes, you thought, maybe if I could just run it for an hour, how awesome would that be?

The good news is that while these huge observatories are not going to let you come in and turn the gears of the mightiest telescopes yourself, many of them will perform specific observations for you and allow you to “see through their eyes” via the internet for that short observation.  This is a powerful option for an amateur astronomer and one you want to prepare for carefully.  Here is what you do…

1. Begin compiling a list of the great telescopes of the world, their locations and how to contact them.  Google will help you with finding lists of these observatories to contact by pointing you to specific directory sites like http://astro.nineplanets.org/bigeyes.html

2. You can start by submitting your request to a specific observatory.  Now here is where you have to do your homework.  If you have a specific celestial event you wish to observe, there will be particular telescopes around the globe that will be in the best position to get those shots for you.  So study up and find just the right telescope and when the perfect moment for that observation would occur.  Get out ahead of this homework as you need to submit your request in plenty of time for it to go through approval and for them to get back to you and to interact with you to nail down what you are going to have them look at.

3. There are two ways you can direct the operators of the telescopes.  You can give them specific coordinates to focus on and a specific time frame to perform the observation.  The other way is to give them a star, a planet or a particular star system to observe and let them figure out the coordinates.  That might be easier because you know what you want to see.

4. Now you sit back and wait for the email that the observation is done.  You will not be able to watch them do the observation dynamically.  That would be nice but it just isn’t possible yet.  These are telescopes, not web cams.  But they will post the pictures from your observation on a particular web location and email the results to you for study.

It’s pretty cool, free and customized to what you requested.  And you can brag to your friends as you make color copies of your shots that you had Kitt Peak do these up for you personally.  And you would not be lying.

Asteroids

There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in the stars above us that make astronomy so much fun.  The truth is the universe is a constantly changing, moving, some would say “living” thing because you just never know what you are going to see on any given night of stargazing.

But of the many celestial phenomenons, there is probably none as exciting as that time you see your first asteroid on the move in the heavens.  To call asteroids the “rock stars” of astronomy is simultaneously a bad joke but an accurate depiction of how astronomy fans view them.  Unlike suns, planets and moons, asteroids are on the move, ever changing and, if they appear in the night sky, exciting and dynamic.

Like rock stars, asteroids have been given their fair share of urban myth and lore.  Many have attributed the extinction of the dinosaurs to the impact of a huge asteroid on the earth.  This theory has some credibility and, if it is true, it evokes some pretty startling images and foreboding fears in the current reining species on earth, the human race.

The fact that asteroids are fast moving space debris only makes their movement and activity more interesting and exciting.  Unlike a moon, planet or star, the odds that an asteroid could hit the earth are entirely reasonable and in fact, there are many documented cases of small asteroids making it through our atmosphere and leaving some pretty impressive craters in the earth’s surface.

Popular culture has happily embraced the idea of an asteroid impact.  The idea has spawned many a science fiction story adding the idea that alien life forms may ride asteroids to our world and start a “war of the worlds” situation.  But by far, the most talked about concept that has captured the imagination and the fears of science fiction fans and the general public is of another asteroid hitting the earth that could wipe out life as allegedly happened to the dinosaurs.  In fact, the movie “Armageddon” was based on this idea and the concept that somehow mankind could avert that catastrophe with technology.

But probably the best way to calm our fears and replace science fiction with science is with understanding and knowledge.  The truth is, there has been a lot of study of asteroid activity and the serious scientific community has gained significant knowledge of these amazing celestial bodies.  A number of probes to asteroids have been conducted which have given us a wealth of information about their composition and how we might predict their behavior.  

We now know that the majority of asteroids we get to witness come from an asteroid belt that exists between Mars and Jupiter.  It is from this community of asteroids that many of the notable asteroids emerged.  Scientists have gained significant knowledge about the composition of asteroids and separated them into classes including class S which comes of the part of the belt that is closest to Mars, classes C, D and V which are classified by composition and a class called “Centaurs” whose flight patterns take them closer to Jupiter and Uranus.

Some of the probes NASA has conducted on near flying asteroids have performed some pretty amazing studies of these eccentric celestial bodies.  In 1994 the Galileo probe got within 1000 miles of the asteroid Ida and discovered that Ida actually had its own moon.  

Other probes have fired impactors into asteroids and even landed on an asteroid to produce some amazing scientific data for us.  There is much to learn about asteroids in our love of astronomy and that knowledge only makes our enjoyment of seeing them in the cosmos even more exciting.

The “WOW” Hobby

The “WOW” Hobby

Some people sometimes view hobbies as sometimes silly or frivolous pastimes.  And it’s true some hobbies are like that.  But it is healthy to have a hobby because it diversifies our interests and keeps us active and fun to be with.  But many hobbies are for the few that really get into that area of study.  Stamp collecting or rock climbing are valid hobbies.  But to be sure, these are not hobbies that just anybody will get into.

Astronomy, by contract, that you could say everybody gets into at some point or another.  It is safe to say that everybody at some point has looked up at a magnificent night sky and said “WOW.”  At that moment, even if was only for that moment, that person became an amateur astronomy hobbyist.  They had that “Wow” moment in what can only be described as the “WOW” hobby.

That common experience is what makes astronomy one of the most exciting and popular hobbies of them all.  Any hobby has to have a few “wow” moments.  Whether it’s hitting that strike in bowling or finding that perfect stamp, there has to be a moment when the bell rings.  Well astronomy has many “wow” moments that occur virtually any clear night in the stars.  From the coming of an asteroid shower to just figuring out another constellation, there is so much to do and play with in astronomy that you can be a hobbyist your whole life and never get bored.

Besides the excitement of astronomy, another reason it makes a great hobby is that it is easy and cheap to get started.  Unlike skiing for example, to just start enjoying astronomy, all you need is the night sky.  But there is no end to the levels of complexity and sophistication you can get to as you move along in astronomy as well.  So like any good hobby, astronomy is endlessly fascinating and tremendously addictive because there is always more you want to learn and more you can do to make your knowledge and experiences more interesting and fun.

A great side benefit of how many people are into astronomy is that it is a tremendously social hobby as well.  This is unusual for a hobby that is associated with a science, that is executed by staring up in the sky by yourself and that is not competitive.  But in any town or city, there are at least a few and probably dozens of astronomy clubs and associations that meet regularly to discuss astronomy.

This is the perfect way to introduce a new recruit to the hobby of astronomy.  These clubs thrive on sharing their love of astronomy with new members, kids and those just learning how to explore the stars.  Most astronomy clubs schedule regular “safaris” to go out away from the lights of the city and get a good night of sky watching done.  Going on such an outing with a big group of enthusiasts is the type of experience that will take a passive interest into astronomy and change it into a healthy obsession.

By going out with a group, you can rub elbows with people who know the night sky, can help you learn how to spot the great constellations and how to train your eyes to see the really cool stuff going on over our heads virtually every night.  Astronomy is a passion that is shared equally by everyone from children, to college students to serious scholars in the field to even professional astronomers who work at exploring the universe full time.  On any given night, you or your child may be sitting next to an award winning professional astronomer who will happily provide a private lesson looking up at the cosmos just for the sheer fun of shared learning.

The great thing is that everything we have talked about here costs virtually nothing.  You can get started with your love of astronomy and learn as you go so when you are ready to make some investment in equipment, you have learned from others what is just the right thing for you.  Sure, eventually you will want some astronomy magazine subscriptions, a star map or two and binoculars or a telescope.  But those things come as your love of the hobby matures.  Meanwhile, get out there, meet others who share your excitement about star gazing and get to know a hobby that never stops making you say “WOW”.

The Universe through a Child’s Eyes

There is something about parenthood that gives us a sense of history and a deeply rooted desire to send on into the next generation the great things we have discovered about life.  And part of that is the desire to instill in our children the love of science, of learning and particularly the love of nature.  

Your fascination with the universe and how to explore it as we so often do in the field of astronomy can be highly academic and dry as maybe it was if you took a course in astronomy.  But when you get out there in the field at night, your equipment is just right and the night sky comes alive with activity, there is no other experience like it for majesty and pure excitement.  And that is the kind of experience we want our children to come to love as much as we do.

It’s actually not a big jump from play to learning for children when it comes to learning about the natural world, science and astronomy.  Exploration is a natural part of being a child and growing up in a fascinating world and universe.  So if we can find ways to take that natural desire to explore and instill a life long passion for astronomy, we will have given our children a truly great gift.

So with a few simple family activities, we can instill that love of astronomy in our offspring.  Here are some ideas.

* Make star gazing part of family life.  You already love to go outdoors as often as possible to enjoy the stars.  So don’t let that be your private passion.  Get everybody into the act.  The kids will love it and look forward to those nights as much as going to the circus.

* Make each new experience in growing into astronomy a fresh threshold.  So the first experiences might be what you experienced as a kid, just laying on your back out in the country with the panorama of the stars overhead trying to take it all in.  Go ahead and challenge them to count the stars.  It’s a fun exercise and one they will save to use as a joke on their kids when they do this same thing in a few decades.

* Take them along the road of learning, introducing binoculars so they can focus on particular areas of the night sky.

* Now they are hooked and want to know about why some of the stars are brighter than others.  They have no idea they are going to astronomy school and don’t even know it.  You can tell them about the constellations as you point out how to find them by keying off the North Star.  By being able to find things in that mass of stars and knowing there is such a vast amount more they can pick out, they are ripe for learning from star maps and about how the galaxies work.  

* Think of their excitement as they notice the changes in the night sky.  The phases of the moon and the effect of the rotation of the earth on the position of the planets.  Help them find their favorite celestial bodies each night.  Before long they will learn to chart the movement of the stars just like the early astronomers did.

* Now you will get caught up in the excitement of finding new things to reveal to your excited crew of fledgling astronomers.  When you reveal that you are going on a safari to see an eclipse, a meteor shower or the once in a lifetime appearance of a comet, that gift will as big as anything you might spring on them for Christmas.

The wonders of the night sky will captivate your children the way it has you for years.  And you will have done them the greatest favor you ever could do by making them lifelong lovers of the universe.

The History of Astronomy

The History of Astronomy

If you have a passion for star gazing, telescopes, the Hubble and the universe and this thing we call “astronomy”, you are far from alone.  Of course, we know that astronomy is a highly respected science that has produced some of the most amazing accomplishments of the twentieth century.  On top of that, it is a thriving area of fascination and one of the most exciting hobby areas going with thousands of astronomy clubs and tens of thousands of amateur astronomers watching the stars every night just like we do.

But did you know that astronomy is one of the oldest and most respected sciences of them all?  As far back as before the times of Christ, the wise and thinking people of societies of the time were looking at the stars and finding ways to track and chart them.  We who love the hobby of astronomy can chart a proud history of astronomers that tracks across millennia and through virtually every culture in civilization.  So for the sake of having some really good trivia to toss around at astronomy club next week, let’s highlight some of the big moments in the history of astronomy.

For many centuries the science of astronomy was not distinct from the practice of astrology.  For clarity, astronomy is the study of the stars, planets, and the universe with a clearly scientific approach.  Astrology is the study of the zodiac signs and how they influence our growth, our personalities and our daily lives.  In modern times, we as people of science discount the astrological side and focus on the astronomy of the heavens.  But they were one study for millennia before the age of science made them separate.

There is historical evidence that astronomy was a recognized science as far back as the Babylonian civilization hundreds of years before Christ.  But the study of the stars was not limited to one country.  There were similar movements going on in China, India, and Ancient Egypt and all over the Arabian Peninsula.  The integration of astronomy and religion is so prevalent that we see it in the Christmas story in which the Magi, Zoroastrian priesthood probably from the equivalent of ancient Syria, followed a star to the Christ child.  These astronomers were also astrologers and it was that mixture that lead them to be part of this historic event.

The first book on astronomy was written by Ptolemy during the Greek empire.  Since that historic publication, the who’s who list of great astronomers charts a path right through the center of modern science including Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Sir Issac Newton, Jung, Michelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and more recently even Einstein and Stephen Hawkings would join that noble list.  It seemed that from the renaissance on to this day, virtually any man or woman of intellect dabbled in astronomy at least somewhat and it has always been considered a sign of the learned to know about the universe and things astronomical.

Astronomy has had an impact on so many areas of our lives that we really don’t recognize.  Many words in our language had their roots in astronomy such as…

* Influenza which comes from the Latin root word for influence.  This reflects an early belief that the position of the moon and stars may influence health and cause or cure disease.

* Disaster which comes from the Latin for “bad star”.

* Lunatic which has the root word "Luna" in it which is the Latin word for moon.  This highlights the long held belief that is even prevalent today that irrational behavior and even wild and dangerous things happen during a full moon.

Astronomy and its interrelationship with astrology has also influenced culture, education and religion to a very large extent over the centuries.  In the English language, the first two days or our week, Sunday and Monday are a reference to astronomy as their literal interpretations would be “The Day of the Sun” and “The Day of the Moon.”  

So if you have found astronomy becoming a consuming passion in your thoughts and what fascinates you about the world we live in, you are in great company as this area of study has been a major part of culture and thought virtually since the dawn of civilization.  And it will continue to fascinate mankind for as long as those beautiful stars shine over our heads.

The Night Sky

No matter how far along you are in your sophistication as an amateur astronomer, there is always one fundamental moment that we all go back to.  That is that very first moment that we went out where you could really see the cosmos well and you took in the night sky.  For city dwellers, this is a revelation as profound as if we discovered aliens living among us.  Most of us have no idea the vast panorama of lights that dot a clear night sky when there are no city lights to interfere with the view.

Sure we all love the enhanced experience of studying the sky using binoculars and various sizes and powers of telescopes.  But I bet you can remember as a child that very first time you saw the fully displayed clear night sky with all the amazing constellations, meters and comets moving about and an exposure of dots of light far to numerous to ever count.

The best way to recapture the wonder of that moment is to go out in the country with a child of your own or one who has never had this experience and be there at that moment when they gaze up and say that very powerful word that is the only one that can summarize the feelings they are having viewing that magnificent sky.  That word is – “Wow”.

Probably the most phenomenal fact about what that child is looking at that is also the thing that is most difficult for them to grasp is the sheer enormity of what is above them and what it represents.  The very fact that almost certainly, virtually every dot up there in the sky is another star or celestial body that is vastly larger that Earth itself, not by twice or ten times but by factors of hundreds and thousands, can be a mind blowing idea to kids.  Children have enough trouble imagining the size of earth itself, much less something on such a grand scope as outer space.

But when it comes to astronomy, we do better when we fall into deeper and deeper levels of awe at what we see up there in the night sky.  Some amazing facts about what the children are looking at can add to the goose bumps they are already having as they gaze eyes skyward.  Facts like…

* Our sun is part of a huge galaxy called the Milky Way that consists of one hundred billion stars just like it or larger.  Show them that one hundred billion is 100,000,000,000 and you will se some jaws drop for sure.

* The milky was is just one of tens of billions of galaxies each of which has billions of stars in them as well.  In fact, the Milky Way is one of the small galaxies.

* If you wanted to drive across the Milky Way, it would take you 100,000 years.  But you can’t get there driving the speed limit.  You have to drive five trillion, eight hundred million miles per year to get all the way across that fast.

* Scientists calculate that the Milky Way is 14 billion years old.

These little fun facts should get a pretty spirited discussion going about the origins of the universe and about the possibility of space travel or if there are life on other planets.  You can challenge the kids to calculate that if every star in the Milky Way supported nine planets and if only one of them was habitable like earth is, what are the odds that life would exist on one of them?  I think you will see some genuine excitement when they try to run those numbers.

Such discussion can be fun, exciting, and full of questions.  Don’t be too hasty to shut down their imaginations as this is the birth of a lifelong love of astronomy that they are experiencing.  And if you were there that first moment when they saw that night sky, you will re-experience your own great moment when you was a child.  And it might set off a whole new excitement about astronomy in you all over again.

The Basics of Buying a Telescope

The Basics of Buying a Telescope

There is a moment in the life of any aspiring astronomer that it is time to buy that first telescope.  It’s exciting to think about setting up your own viewing station whether that is on the deck of your home or having a powerful but mobile telescope set up to take to the remove countryside to really get a good shot at some breath taking star gazing.

The last thing we would want to do is to take away any of the “fun” of your hobby of astronomy because the joy of what we do as star gazers is a big part of the appeal.  But unlike many other hobbies, ours is a passion of science, of learning and of discovery.  And don’t kid yourself, even a hobbyist with a limited telescopic set up can see some amazing things in the stars.  So let’s be sure you invest in a solid piece of equipment that you can continue to grow with as your knowledge and ability as an astronomer grows.  But how do we do that?

Meet the Geeks.
Now we use the term “telescope geeks” lovingly because any of us who are devoted to our love of astronomy eventually become telescope geeks.  And these are the type of people who will know exactly how to evaluate your needs in terms of where you are right now and where you want to go as your hobby grows with you.  So if you have not yet associated with a local astronomy club, now is the time to do it.

Start rubbing elbows with people who live and breathe telescopes.  Their input is a hundred times more reliable than what a sales brochure or that salesman might have to say because the “telescope geeks” have been where you are, made the mistakes and are eager to help you avoid those same mistakes.

Size Matters
In the world of telescopes, the sales people see, to try to baffle us with all the bells and whistles of their hottest selling model.  One of the big check points that is often pushed is the amplification level of the telescope lens.  While that is a factor that is worth noting, when it comes to a telescope lens, the old phrase “size matters” is a good guideline.

Just remember that your telescope lens works best when it takes in the most light it can from the object you are viewing.  So the wider the diameter of the lens, the better a view you are going to get.  So don’t fall for the amplification level only.  Carefully evaluate the lens size so you have the right fit for what you want to do.

It Has to Stand on Its Own Feet.
If you are going to set up a permanent telescope station, then you can bolt the unit down so it is well supported.  But many of us have to take our telescopes out into the country for optimum use.  So the stand has to be strong and flexible so we can set up the telescope on uneven turf but still feel secure that this important and expensive piece of equipment is going to stand on its own without fear of it falling during our observation time.

We already mentioned strong and flexible as evaluation guides for the telescope stand but add in ease of use as well.  You have to be able to set your telescope up and break it down quickly and easily when you are on a remote viewing.  You may even find yourself setting up or taking down your telescope in the dark or by lantern or flashlight if you are taking advantage of the great star displays in the late night sky that make this hobby so exciting.

These are the basics of what to look for in your new telescope.  Finally, make sure the telescope can be enhanced and expanded without having to throw the first unit away and buy something completely new.  You want your telescope to grow as your knowledge and skills grow.  If your first telescope meets all of these requirements, you are off on the right foot on a long and enjoyable career as an amateur astronomer.

The Glossary of Telescopes

When you enter into any new area of science, you almost always find yourself with a baffling new language of technical terms to learn before you can converse with the experts.  This is certainly true in astronomy both in terms of terms that refer to the cosmos and terms that describe the tools of the trade, the most prevalent being the telescope.  So to get us off of first base, let’s define some of the key terms that pertain to telescopes to help you be able to talk to them more intelligently.  

The first area of specialization in telescopes has to do with the types of telescopes people use.  The three designs of telescopes that most people use are the Refractor, the Reflector and the Schmidt Cassegrain telescope.  

* The refractor telescope uses a convex lens to focus the light on the eyepiece.  

* The reflector telescope has a concave lens which means it bends in.  It uses mirrors to focus the image that you eventually see.  

* The Schmidt Cassegrain telescope uses an involved system of mirrors to capture the image you want to see.

* A binocular telescope uses a set of telescopes mounted and synchronized so your view of the sky is 3-D.

Beyond the basic types, other terms refer to parts of the telescope or to the science behind how telescopes work.

* Collimation is a term for how well tuned the telescope is to give you a good clear image of what you are looking at.  You want your telescope to have good collimation so you are not getting a false image of the celestial body.

* Aperture is a fancy word for how big the lens of your telescope is.  But it’s an important word because the aperture of the lens is the key to how powerful your telescope is.  Magnification has nothing to do with it, its all in the aperture.

* Focuser is the housing that keeps the eyepiece of the telescope, or what you will look through, in place.  The focuser has to be stable and in good repair for you to have an image you can rely on.

* Mount and Wedge.  Both of these terms refer to the tripod your telescope sits on.  The mount is the actual tripod and the wedge is the device that lets you attach the telescope to the mount.  The mount and the wedge are there to assist you with a superior viewing session and to keep your expensive telescope safe from a fall.

* An Altazimuth Mount refers to the tripod of the telescope that holds the device in place and makes it useful during a star gazing session.  The altazimuth mouth allows the telescope to move both horizontally (which is the azimuth) and vertically.  In this way you have full range to look at things close to the horizon or directly overhead.

* Coma has a different meaning than the one we are used to, and that’s a good thing.  The coma is the blurry area on the outer rims of your view through the telescope.  How big the coma is and to what extent it interferes with your viewing will have is important to the effectiveness of your telesscope.

* Planisphere.  A fancy word for a star chart.  It is nothing less or more than a detailed map of where everything is in the cosmos and how to find the star you wish to study by keying off of known stars.

* Barlow.  This refers to a specialized type of lens that you can buy to enhance the magnification of your telescope.  

These are just a few of the basic concepts of telescope operation.  We deliberately picked the ones you have to know to discuss telescopes intelligently.  But your education into the more complex aspects of astronomy and telescope design and operation will go on for as long as you are a lover of astronomy, which we hope is for the rest of your life.

Tips to Make Your Next Hiking Adventure a Safe One

Tips to Make Your Next Hiking Adventure a Safe One

Are you, your family, your friends, or your romantic partner planning to take a hiking adventure soon?  As you likely already know, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can be dangerous at the same time.  Of course, there are a number of different steps that you can take to protect yourself on your next hiking adventure and a few of those steps are outlined below.

If you have yet to choose your hiking trail, you will want to do so soon.  The sooner that you choose your hiking trail, the easier it will be to familiarize yourself with where you will be hiking. When choosing a hiking trail, it is advised that you take the difficulty level into consideration. For instance, you can find hiking trails in the United States that are designed for beginners, as well as those that have advanced hiking experience.

Once you have decided which hiking trial you would like to hike on, you will want to take the time to fully familiarize yourself with the trail.  If you are able to acquire a map of the hiking trial in question, you will want to closely examine it.  You will want to know exactly where you are at all times, as well as how to get out of the area, in the event of an emergency.  If you do acquire a map of the hiking trial that you plan on hiking, you will want to make sure that you bring a copy of the map with you.  This will also assist you in the event of an emergency.

You will want to think about familiarizing yourself with the security of the hiking trial or park in question; get their contact information so you can contact them in the event of an emergency.  Speaking of contacting security guards, you will want to make sure that you bring a cell phone with you. A cell phone will allow you to call for help if you or someone in your hiking party has an accident or wanders off the trail.  If you do not own a cell phone, you may want to think about buying a cheap prepaid one or borrowing the cell phone of someone that you know.

Although it is important that you bring a cell phone with you on your next hiking adventure, a cell phone is not all that you will want to bring.  Even if you are only planning on hiking for a day or two, you will want to make sure that you have enough food and drinks, just incase something went wrong.  Many hikers are urged to prepare for the worst, just incase.  For that reason, you may want to think about packing a number of extra snacks and drinks.

Another great way that you can stay safe on your next hiking adventure is by making sure that you have all of the right hiking equipment or hiking supplies.  In this aspect, you will want to make sure that you are dressed for the hike.  Hiking should involve sneakers at the least, but you may want to think about buying a set of hiking boots.  You will also want to review the weather before leaving.  Even if it will be bright and sunny, you may still want to think about bringing a light coat with you, incase of rain or incase you become stranded on the hiking trail overnight.

Perhaps, the best way that you can go about staying safe on your next hiking adventure is by letting your friends and family members know where you are going, when you will be leaving, and when you will return. Should you not return on time, those that you know should be able to find you, or at least have a generalized idea of where you are.  You may also want to think about writing down the same information and leaving it at a safe place at home.

The above outlined hiking safety tips are just a few of the many that you may want to think about practicing. As a reminder, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous as well.

What to Consider Before Planning a Hiking Adventure

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to spend a day off that you have or even a whole weekend that you may have free?  If you are, have you ever thought about going on a hiking adventure?  If you are like many other Americans, there is a good chance that the thought has at least crossed your mind before.  Hiking is not only fun and exciting, but, for many, it is also a great way to relax.  

If you are interested in going on a hiking adventure, you may want to get started with the planning right away. While it is more than possible to do so, there are a number of important factors that you may first want to take into consideration. These factors, which are outlined below, may help make planning your next hiking adventure easier and they may also make your adventure, when it comes, much more memorable.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, before planning a hiking adventure, is your health. Although hiking can be a fun and exciting activity to participate in, it can also be strenuous.  If you are planning on going hiking, it is advised that you go hiking on a trail that is designed for beginners, unless you receive clearance from your physician.  Most individuals are able to go hiking without experiencing any health problems, but you don’t really want to take that chance; do you?

Something else that you may want to take into consideration, when planning a hiking adventure for yourself is the length of your hike.  How long would you like to go hiking for?  While a large number of individuals choose to go hiking just for a day, there are many more who take extended hiking trips. What is nice is that many hiking trials and hiking parks in the United States have onsite campgrounds. This means that you could turn your hiking adventure into a camping one as well, if you wanted to do so.

Location is another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when looking to plan a hiking adventure. In the United States, you will find that a large number of cities and towns, both large and small in size, have numerous hiking trails to choose from. Before you start planning your next hiking adventure, you may want to examine where you would like to hike.  If you are interested in hiking at a park that is located a ways away from your home, you may need to make additional travel arrangements.  

Cost is another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when looking to plan your next hiking adventure. In the United States, you will find that you will be charged a small admission fee to go hiking. While this admission fee is almost always reasonable, it is important to determine whether or not you can afford the cost of it. The length of your hiking adventure and if you plan on camping onsite may play an important role in the cost of your next hiking adventure.

The above mentioned points are ones that you will want to think about, when planning your next hiking adventure.  By taking the above mentioned points into consideration you will not only have a good time, but you will make sure that you stay healthy and safe as well.

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today
Dealing with acne can be embarassing at any age.

Luckily, there are a number of things you can do everyday to make sure your skin is less prone to flare ups. Here are five tips for taking control of your acne starting today.

1. Exercise - Keeping in shape can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. However, some safeguards need to be in place to ward off acne that can result from your workout routines. Watch what you put on your body with regards to clothing, sports gear and equipment.

For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits might look great in the movies and on magazine models, but if you are susceptible to acne problems, avoid these synthetic fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat resulting in a bacteria frenzy. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends to allow more air to get to your skin.

And when you are finished with your workout, get out of clothing wet from perspiration or water sports. Shower and change into dry, clean clothing. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean, too. Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone to acne problems. So toss headbands into the washing machine after workout sessions.

2. Cosmetics - To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that are similar to acne and that can contribute to acne, use products labeled noncomedogenic or oil-free. Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.

More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.

3. Diet - Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is this: what is best for your body is best for your skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of your body. So remember to watch your diet and consume healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements. This will help to prevent and help conquer acne breakout.

4. Hygiene - A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what has washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

5. Shaving - Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin!
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5 Tips For Getting Rid of Acne
Acne is a widespread problem that a lot of teenagers face. It can be extremely embarrassing for a lot of teenagers who are at a extremely delicate time in their lives. Here are 5 tips to help.

By now, almost everybody has seen the late night and early morning acne infomercials with Jessica Simpson and Sean "Diddy" Combs. I guess they figure, if a celebrity trusts something, then so should you. The promises made for the product sound surreal, and yet for many people it may be just the cure they're looking for. Even so, it may not be for everybody.

One of my daughters who had acquired a bad case of acne in recent years, tried the infomercial solution, and it didn't work on her at all. Being a young teenager, she was beset by acne breakouts and needed a solution fast. But unable to find a quick solution, we ended up going to the local dermatologist for acne information and answers. The doctor gave her a prescription for a cream and an oral medication. After following his instructions for a couple weeks, her acne had virtually departed. This was the right solution for her, but it may not be for you - because we're all different.

Here are some general tips that I've discovered over the years:

If you have oily skin - it's best to take a medicated acne product or one in gel form.

If you have dry skin - you'll probably do better with the acne cream form and medicated products with benzoyl peroxide or salycic acid.

If you have both oily AND dry skin (combined type) - you will probably need a combination of oily skin gels and dry skin acne creams to apply to different parts of your fact according to the skin condition there.

If you have sensitive skin - you will more than likely need less intense concentrations of either dry, oily, or combined-type treatments.

If you have skin pain because of acne - you should get personal attention from a dermatologist.

So many people struggle with skin afflictions on a regular basis. With the advances in science, you'd think that the acne problem would have been solved long ago and that acne would be a pale memory. Unfortunately the age-old confidence destroyer is still around and going strong.

Today, reaching middle age, I find myself in a new situation when it comes to unsightly blemishes. Now I find that my skin tends to be a bit oily and I have acne breakouts after moisturizing my face. One of the few things I look forward to as I get older is the absence of acne.

Keywords:
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eight Simple Essential For Parenting Healthy Youngsters

1 . Relieve Television, Personal pc, and Game Time.

Little ones tend to be hooked on playing games or reviewing their favorite illustrates. They can continue to keep doing so throughout the day. Therefore , you must limit the time period they use to try and do these things. Also, it is a incontrovertible fact that kids who seem to tend to remain around all the time in front of projector screens tend to attract more obese swifter as fight  ?  combat  ?  defy  ?  rebel  ?  go against sb/sth  ?  disobey to an activated kid.

charge cards Spend Special times.

Spending special times with your babies can mean a great deal to them and often will make them a great deal more willing to look at something new whenever parents are actually encouraging these folks. Try to showcase long, hilly hikes together with intense dirt bike rides. Perform a little outdoorsy hobbies that they wouldn't normally do while on an average evening.

3. Activate Them.

Although some children do not like doing jobs it is a surperb way to keep them all distracted that help parents savings around. Also, accomplishing chores can offer them a feeling of responsibility to remain them from the trouble as well as things some people shouldn't be executing.

4. Mandatory Playing Time.

Young children joining a hobby they have fun with is a great way for you to meet different people to get a good deal of activity. It was tutor kids loosing a lesson in order to be a team member and closely with with other youngsters in a good-mannered fashion.

quite a few. Take A Walk In place of Take A Automotive.

If you have to get hold of something by a store in close proximty of don't generally take the automotive. Grab your family and take the pills with you for that walk to your store. What a great way to showcase some routine in your little ones if they have a tendency do substantially. Alternatively, fragment them, if he or she want doughnuts, they have to walk around the block there and find it.

4. No Homework time effectively Right after The school.

Don't enhance your kids to undertake their homework time effectively right after the school. Allow them to visit do some pleasurable activities camping with their mates. It is important the fact that kids stay in active once school and also before dining.

7. Allowed them to Express.

Have a tendency try to consider what your youngster gets to dress yourself in or not. Surely lay down guidelines, but come to a decision their completely wardrobe for the. Allow the baby to pick what exactly he/she prefers, that way they are express all their sense of fashion. Don't continually go finding things to do, applying for events devoid of their meeting. Their view on the activities is the most vital since they are those the ones struggling them.

almost eight. Feed these products Healthy Foods.

Enjoying healthy is really important, it can keep many potential future diseases along with injuries. Never let you young children to eat fries, candy, delicious ice cream, etc . right through the day. Limit the crooks to a limited covering at a specified time sometimes, every day simply good. At the same time, try preparing it up! Running up different fruits inside mixer by adding a portion of ice cream in this article, Or provide the celery having melted delicious chocolate, apples by using peanut spread. There are so many possible choices; you just have to remember find them.

7. Listen to all of them.

When you little one comes home from practice listen to just what exactly he/she have got to say. Shouldn't cut these off thanks to your own business. Impart them with the chance to mention what they will need to say, who really knows you might find available something new. You're listen to what their children should say, as opposed to put a good distance in your way on the path to your child, it will have a massive emotional benefit.

10. Let your Children Certain Space And even Independence.

Let your child certain independence, that will not mean that it happens to be okay to leave naive or stop at the house late it means avoid getting all over their whole space. If you happen to child go to hang outside with his or her friends during the park shouldn't always come along, or if they happen to be playing online games in the kitchen, don't stay there and keep a look their just about every single move. It happens to be okay if you are child likes to do elements alone, they're growing up, and you ought to expect transformations.

Do you recollect the kitchen from your immatureness? Do you remember how it was the bravery and psyche of the location? Not exclusive did all the meals get created there and galore meals get devoured there, but that is where star decisions were prefab, "disposition to hunch" conversations were had and where visitors strength make been greeted.

Today, in my own kitchen, it isn't overmuch contrary. The very primal things are event there. The kitchen is also where preparation gets finished, art projects get praised, and blogs get graphical. And rattling importantly, it is where lifelong lessons around nutrient and nutrition are taught and learned.

As parents, nurture ruddy kids is a top precedence for all of us. We don't essential it to be a temporary situation either. My personalized commission is to revive lifelong rubicund eaters. I try to propose beyond the intent of "eat what is on your bracing because I said so" and try to improve a primary, kid-friendly module of the grandness of intelligent eating. I conceive that the writer we comment nearly nutrients, the grandness of "uptake the rainbow", why realistic food is author advantageous for our bodies and minds than milled substance, as surface as otherwise things, the solon whole adults in the time.

One of the unsurpassed places to service intelligent kids flourish in the way I am describing is in the kitchen. Convey them conservative into the courage and feeling of the refuge! Let them view, let them mention, let them interrogation.

And then let them prepare.

Kids of all ages can be hands on with food preparation to few qualification. It meet takes a lowercase preparation, maybe a little mentation before you bid them in to link you, but it can be totally directed. This is a rich learning have for them and we should try to do this as ofttimes as we can.

Besides... it is FUN! If you are doing it correct, you module assets lots of laughs, vantage conversation and majuscule wellborn case together. I am effort to help you do that.

Before you actuation up and telecommunicate everyone into the kitchen, I requirement to distribute whatever things you should anticipate near FIRST.

LET'S GET THOSE KIDS INTO THE KITCHEN!

HERE ARE 3 WAYS TO Aid GET YOU STARTED:

1. Set Up Beforehand

You don't jazz to necessarily do more, but winning a few proceedings to set up a few things way that you can focussing on the kids and the content more instead of information that can be embezzled assist of beforehand.

How often of this you do truly depends on the ages of your children and their misbehaviour with the kitchen. With junior children you may strike out all the ingredients and tools, human everything already sounded and ready to be poured into a trough for mixing. With experienced kids or kids many common in the kitchen, they may purchase out the ingredients as you interpret them or they read them off, they may do their own activity, and so on.

No entity how more or how soft you do, there is ever something to do early. Any additional things may include:

- Taking out histrion dish- or packing towels in frame of spills.

- Improvement off the cooking atlantic, including the lapse and oven if obligatory.

- Determinant on a recipe.

- Background out all the kitchen tools required.

- Attractive ingredients out of the pantry and refrigerator.

2. Create convert stations and set up many rules

The parthian feeling we poverty is kids spouting into the kitchen, pushing for a introductory hazard to use the peeler and having a outcry light bust out. When my kids arise into the kitchen, everyone has an allotted point and job to act with. We may turn. We may not. But it is rattling lucid as to who is accomplishment where faction from the kickoff.

Rule are key, too. The kitchen can be a breakneck post without rules. So we open whatever sect from the opening, then alteration or add to the slant as pauperization arises.

Few rules you might include are:

- Take your safekeeping before and after cookery.

- Tie your textile backwards.

- Use your apron.

- Never suggest the range, it strength be on.

- Ask before adding an ingredient.

- Only use the stove or a wound when Momma is with you.

Use rules that puddle sensation for your kids and kitchen.

3. Decompress and hit FUN

If you can support that messes will be make, shells power accomplish it into the activity and an ingredient power be accidentally nigh out, then you make the conservative framing of intent to unwind and savour the experience with your kids. The most big objective is not that the ultimate quantity turns out perfect. The much more weighty object is that kids are having a sumptuous, hands on live in the kitchen with YOU. What they take module decree to tie anicteric food and flushed ingestion with enthusiastic, formal feelings by the opportunities you release them to be hands on in the kitchen. So loosen, smiling, vocalization off the "oopsies" and "uh oh's" and jazz FUN!

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school vegetable garden grants

stephanie alexander

kitchen garden foundation

school vegetable garden grants

stephanie alexander

kitchen garden foundation

Keywords: kitchen, kids, things, rules, ingredients, module, food, hands, preparation, intelligent, conservative, don't

Description: do you recollect the kitchen from your immatureness? do you remember how it was the bravery and psyche of the location? not exclusive did all the