Any visitor to a star party likely would notice that there aren’t a lot of young people attending. A constant flurry of technology seems to put stargazing on the backburner for the younger generations. As the great astronomy popularizer Carl Sagan once said, most people on this planet live their lives without ever knowing their place in the universe. So how can those of us who truly appreciate the wonder of the night sky rectify this problem?
Karen Jennings, author of "Why Gen X and Y should care about astronomy," makes observing a family affair with her two sons. Charles Jennings photo
It’s a question the staff at
Astronomy struggles with every day as we see the median age of our readers steadily rise. One step we are taking to introduce the wonder of the universe to a younger demographic is to let the voices of their peers lead the way. In the February 2011
Astronomy, Karen Jennings, a Generation X amateur astronomer, tackles the issue in “Why Gen X and Y should care about astronomy.” For Jennings, it’s all about getting some perspective. In a world where young adults are always looking for a cause to pursue, a new way to unwind, or an exciting challenge, the night sky offers the perfect answer.
In addition, a sidebar by another young astronomy enthusiast, Erin Reynolds, explains how there’s more than one way to embrace all the universe has to offer. Planetariums, the Internet, and even just our naked eyes can all lead to a greater appreciation of our small place in the cosmos.
Check out “Why Gen X and Y should care about astronomy” to learn how to inspire your friends and family to start looking to the stars, and join the staff of Astronomy in our quest to bring the night sky to a whole new generation. In addition to editorial content geared toward this cause, Astronomy, in conjunction with the Astronomy Outreach Foundation, has developed its Discover the Universe program, which aids astronomy clubs in putting on big-city star parties to bring our hobby to the masses. Together, we can give everyone a 3-D view of the universe.
Read "Why Gen X and Y should care about astronomy"
Check out Astronomy's Discover the Universe program