Getting kids into astronomy can be challenging, but thankfully we have a few amazing events that will be sure to capture the imagination of kids (and adults) everywhere!

1. Meteor Shower
   Occurring which a number of meteors are observed to originate, from one point in the night sky, a meteor shower is a fun event that happens the most often on this list. Most places do events for the ones in the summer, such as the Perseid Meteor Shower in the Northern Hemisphere. The meteors we see are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories. Not all meteor showers are equal, both in when they peak, how many meteors are visible, and where in the sky they can be viewed.
   
2. Lunar Eclipse
   Occurring up to 3 times a year, a lunar eclipse is where the Moon passes through at least a portion of the Earth’s umbral shadow. With a totality ranging between 30 minutes to over an hour, a total eclipse can be seen from any given location, on average, once every 2.5 years. Although there are ranges from being so slight during penumbral eclipse to completely changing the entire surface of the moon to red with total lunar eclipses. What makes these amazing and otherworldly to view is the change of the color of the moon to orange and reddish hues.
   
3. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
   Best viewable between the months of October and March for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealist) happens there are disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma. We recommend checking out reputable sites like this one for when there may be an upcoming strong Aurora in your area. We recommend getting to your spot early, and be patient. There is NO guarantee that you’ll be able to see anything as there are times when the camera can see things that your eyes cannot, but even then there is no guarantee. There are ways to increase the possibility of seeing them (such as finding a dark sky), but please be patient.
   
4. Comet
   A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called outgassing. This produces an extended, gravitationally unbound atmosphere or coma surrounding the nucleus, and sometimes a tail of gas and dust gas blown out from the coma. Taking the time to view one is a great bonding experience, that requires patience and viewing the specific part of the sky at the right time. Viewing a comet is a great chance to spend time as a family, as these events have garnered a lot of attention and are great events to view in a lovely setting.
   
5. Solar Eclipse
   Although not that common, solar eclipses are absolutely amazing and unforgettable events. They occur when the moon gets in-between the Earth and the Sun. It is said, that when you view one, your entire world is changed! Occurring every few years on average, this is an amazing event that makes memories. One cannot put into words the amazing experience that a solar eclipse brings.

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