Meteor watching
Meteor watching needs no equipment, just a dark, open sky, warm clothes, patience and safety.
Meteor watching is one of the easiest kinds of astronomy. You need no telescope or binoculars, because meteors appear suddenly and anywhere in the sky. Your eyes, which can take in a wide view, are the best instrument.
Choose a night near the peak of a shower, ideally with little moonlight. Go somewhere dark, away from street lights, with a wide view of the sky; always go with a grown-up and tell someone where you are. Take a reclining chair or a mat and blanket, and dress more warmly than you think you need, because sitting still gets cold. Allow about 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark and avoid looking at phone screens, or use a red light.
Look at a region about halfway up the sky, rather than straight at the radiant. Count the meteors you see each hour and note their brightness and colour. Patience pays: meteors often come in bursts after quiet spells.
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Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up