4Stargazing

Creating a starry night ceiling projection on your child’s ceiling is a rewarding project that will be enjoyed by the entire family for many years after its completion.  Not only does it peak a child’s interest in astronomy and the world outside our solar system, but a project of this type also will give the room stunning visual detail and encourage even younger children to sleep within their own beds at night.  Long past are the days were parents are forced to stand on ladders and tape glowing plastic stars to their child’s ceiling, although they are most definitely still around and a viable option. Some of the newer materials available on the market provide stunning color while being utterly invisible during daylight hours, and with a little bit of creativity rooms can take on fabulous evening appearances.

The newest fad to add twinkling stars to your ceiling come from the arising technology of fiber optics.  For the patient homeowner that wishes to create a majestic masterpiece detailing the sky, several do it yourself kits are available that mount right to your ceiling.  The actual lighting can be configured in endless patterns to show either random star locations or even exact replicas of our current celestial views, so it is completely up to the homeowner how much time and effort should be dedicated to this project.  With the aid of fiber optics, one light source can power several independent miniature points of interest and they can be located as far as six feet away from the base.  Since the average fiber optic kit comes with around 150-200 lights in almost any color combination imaginable, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to the creativity of this project.  There are also various prefabricated fiber optic kits available within the retail market that is ready to hang and illuminate any room in almost no time.

Another viable option would be to skip lighting altogether and take advantage of some old technology using newer methods.  Instead of pasting a bunch of stars around the room or struggling with complex wiring, why not instead order a few stencils of the universe and paint them right onto your ceiling?  Using specially formulated glow paint, this is entirely possible.  It is available in a variety of colors and the application is not any more difficult than when women paint their fingernails or when men stencil their house number onto their mailbox.  An added benefit is that once the paint cans and ladders are put away, the constellations are nearly invisible during daylight hours as the paint absorbs the room’s natural light.  Once the lights go out however, the room will literally come alive as each and every painted surface brightly shines well into the night.

For the determined enthusiast who wants the best of the best, even more spectacular views can be accomplished through the technology of LED lighting.  Programmed units are available to simulate comets and meteors racing across the skies, supernovas exploding in a final burst of glory, and other cosmic phenomenon that will leave your child breathless.  Entire constellations can also be replicated from a single unit and projected onto the walls and ceilings for a truly hassle free room changing experience.

For those unfamiliar with a planisphere, it is simply a small circular star chart made in order to enhance an astronomer’s viewing experiences by helping them locate areas of interest throughout the universe.  For those who do not have extensive knowledge of the major constellations or where the brightest stars can be found, a planisphere helps them identify where celestial objects are compared to one another.  It also allows both amateurs and experts alike to quickly ascertain what angle and location within the sky they should be viewing to spot each object in question, which saves vast amounts of time when comparing multiple star systems at once.

Some of the features to look for on a planisphere are the quality of the object itself and how much detail it provides.  Some relatively inexpensive models may only point out the major star constellations, while some of the more elaborate ones may also include major nebulas and other astronomical areas of interest.  Other uses included within some planispheres are to calculate future astrological events, a means to determine the sunrise and sunset for the particular area in question, and a numeric system to tell where a constellation or other celestial object will be located at any time during the day or evening.  While most models of planispheres are made of a high quality plastic that should hold up for several years at a time, others are not as sturdy and will easily tear or crack.  There are also various sizes available with a nominal difference in cost, so make sure to review those options as well.

Of course, dependent on where you live will decide which planisphere version needs to be purchased for your own personal use.  They are each individually designed for specified latitudes; which means if one is purchased for viewing in Florida it would not be completely accurate when visiting Seattle.  Since each location would have a different relative viewpoint of the sky it is necessary to produce several types of planispheres for each individual region so pinpoint information can be provided.  Most companies have multiple latitudes available for each type of planisphere they carry, so make sure to verify that you are receiving the correct one (especially when ordering by phone or online).

The average price for a planisphere in a reputable store should be around $7-$12, with the deluxe models costing close to $20 or maybe even a little more.  Of course in every hobby there are items meant more for the serious collectors within the profession, and astrology and planispheres are absolutely no different.  There are a few reputable companies that produce fine planisphere watches that function much like their plastic counterparts, and since the time and date are already known by the timepiece the constellations are always accurate (provided you are at the correct latitude).  Likewise, for the serious collector there are also fine items like planisphere coins and other collectibles.  Of course, the largest and most dynamic planisphere of all is the one above us within the night sky, so be sure to use it often and enjoy the spectacular views.