I love science talks. I know, it’s weird. But I do. And I love dragging my children around to science talks, especially those from the Institute for Creation Research.
A few years ago, my son Xzavian and I drove a ways away to hear a few lectures one Sunday night. Xzavian must have been around six years old, and he was excited because his siblings weren’t going, we were eating supper on the way there, and he got to stay up past his bedtime. Trifecta.
We heard several scientists speak that night, and each talk was so interesting. But to this day, we only remember one — Dr. Jason Lisle.
Who is Dr. Jason Lisle? Well, I’ll tell ya’. Rather, I’ll let his awesome bio tell you:
Dr. Jason Lisle is a Christian astrophysicist who researches issues pertaining to science and the Christian Faith. A popular speaker and author, Dr. Lisle presents a rational defense of a literal Genesis, showing how science confirms the history recorded in the Bible. Brought up in a Christian family, at a young age he received Christ as Lord. Since then Lisle has always desired to serve the Lord out of love and gratitude for salvation, and to spread the Gospel message to all people.
Dr. Lisle double-majored in physics and astronomy with a minor in mathematics at Ohio Wesleyan University. He then went on to obtain a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in astrophysics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. There, he used the SOHO spacecraft to analyze the surface of the sun, and made a number of interesting discoveries, including the detection of giant cell boundaries. Since then, Lisle has worked in full-time apologetics ministry. He wrote a number of planetarium shows for the Creation Museum, including the popular “Created Cosmos.” Dr. Lisle has authored a number of best-selling books on the topic of creation, including: Taking Back Astronomy, Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky, the Ultimate Proof of Creation, Discerning Truth, and Understanding Genesis.
That night, Dr. Lisle spoke passionately about the stars, the solar system, and God’s handiwork through it all. We were in awe of the vastness of God’s creation and excited by Dr. Lisle’s presentation.
When the evening was over, Xzavian high-tailed it to Dr. Lisle to ask his own question. Neither of us remember what that was. But Xzavian still remembers how Dr. Lisle made him feel — smart, inquisitive, worthy of attention of even an astrophysicist.
So of course Dr. Lisle’s The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky sits prominently in our science library. We’ve got astronomy books, sure, but this one is our favorite by far.
And Xzavian is my expert on the book. I asked him what are the top things he likes most about The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky.
The Best Things About the Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky
It’s easy to understand.
Xzavian personally recommends this book for fourth graders up. I agree with him. Upper elementary children, teens, and adults will all enjoy it.
Even more, the content is, as they say, “very accessible.” In other words, students can easily grab onto it and understand it well.
It contains great illustrations.
My student reviewer mentioned this first of all. “Each illustration clearly shows exactly what he is talking about. There aren’t pictures that are hard to understand or that are confusing. Each one is beautiful and very helpful.”
It’s a great reference work.
Xzavian and I both found it easy to find the information we needed. And furthermore, there’s a great index at the back.
Inside The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky, you’ll find important and interesting topics:
- how the stars and planets move across the sky through the year
- how to view the stars without a telescope and understand what you’re seeing
- events like eclipses and things we never talk about like moon dogs and zodiacal light
- how to use a telescope (I wish I had that before we broke ours!)
- the moon, sun, and each planet — in detail
- other deep sky objects I know nothing about
It’s from a creationist viewpoint.
Xzavian really appreciated his balance, too. “Dr. Lisle clearly shows God made the world, but he’s not trying to make this a religious book. He’s writing about the science I wanted to know.”
It comes with a cool free gift.
Not telling you what it is.
It answers burning questions.
Here’s what Xzavian said: “We all look up at the stars, think about the solar system and galaxies, then go on with our lives. Dr. Lisle challenges us to really look closely, to think about what is out there, and to learn more about it.”
As a homeschool mom — hey, as a parent! — this says it all to me. A Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky does what I most want: it takes something we take for granted and pulls us into God’s amazing work.
Dr. Lisle himself created a great resource.
Talk to Dr. Jason Lisle yourself!
I’m so excited that Dr. Jason Lisle will be joining me on the Homeschool Made Easy show Thursday, September 3, at 2pm central. Dr. Lisle will talk with us about how we can actually teach our students astronomy (oh, my word, that intimidates me!) and I’ll ask my burning questions. Xzavian is coming with questions. And I hope you and your students will come, too!
This special event is only in the Homeschool Made Easy Facebook group. Be sure to join us and set your alarm — you won’t want to miss it!
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