Viva Lewes Issue #134 November 2017

Brighton Steiner School
Roedean Road, BN2 5RA
OPEN EVENING
Thursday 16 th November 6pm to 8pm
“A proven alternative to mainstream education for children aged 3-16”
Information and bookings: 01273 386300
E: enquires@brightonsteinerschool.org.uk
W: brightonsteinerschool.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 802036
SHOES ON NOW: STAR GAZING
It was a Saturday night and all three children were
restless, full of the sort of energy that inevitably
means trouble. And so we decided to go out. Going
out late at night when you are 5, 10 and 11 is super
cool. It’s even cooler when it involves a trip to the
Downs with torches. Rugged up especially warmly,
carrying home-made star and rocket biscuits,
flasks of hot chocolate, a blanket apiece and several
torches, we strode in procession-like fashion up to
the Downs. We were going star gazing – activity
No. 27 in the National Trust’s list of ‘50 things to
do before you’re 11 ¾’.
Before we went we downloaded an app (there are
several available) which lets you know the stars
that are nearby on any particular night. Using this
we were easily able to spot several star clusters
including the Seven Sisters and galaxies such as
Andromeda and the Milky Way. We then used the
app to tell us more about what we had just seen.
We also learned that on a clear night, over 4,000
stars will be visible in the night sky.
Autumn is an ideal time to star gaze with children
as the sun sets earlier at this time of year. For
optimum results you need to star gaze before the
moon is full. And please remember to think about
safety if you are walking on the Downs late at night
- it’s perhaps easier just to star gaze from your own
back garden although maybe not as much fun.
Jacky Adams