Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics: Engaging astronomy's teens

September 2010: How do we get teenagers excited about astronomy in this digital age?

Contributed by Glenn Chaple

Published: July 26, 2010

Katie Fleming, age 12, is an astronomy enthusiast with her own telescope and space-related dreams. The challenge the hobby faces today is keeping kids excited about astronomy through their teen years.

Photo by Katie Fleming

A lyric from an early 1960s anti-war song laments: "Where have all the young men gone?" Add the words "and women," and you describe the current plight of amateur astronomy. Teens seem to be especially absent from star parties and astronomy groups.

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