Dark Sky National Parks of the U.S.A.

Written by: Danielle C. Santana

Astrophysics is a very big word for a very big place. It’s the sky above you, and the stars in space.

Astrophysics is wondering, “What’s up there so high?” Then smiling so softly at the quiet night sky.

Astrophysics wonders why stars shine bright, why planets spin morning and night.

It asks fun questions like, “Why does the sun glow?” “Where do the stars go?” “How far can space grow?”

Astrophysics is looking up, counting what you see – If you can wonder and count, it starts with you and me.

1 glowing sun

warm and bright,

waking the planets

with golden light.

2 dancing moons

round and round,

tip-toe spinning

without a sound.

3 zooming rockets

flying past Mars—

“Count with me!”

Astrophysics loves the stars.

4 swirling planets

red, blue, and green,

the brightest space colors

you’ve ever seen.

5 shiny comets

whoosh through the night,

tails that sparkle,

fast as light.

6 twinkling constellations

in the night sky,

Trace them with me

connect the dots up high.

7 astronaut boots

go hop, hop, zoom,

Astrophysics helps them

leap across the moon.

8 silver satellites

blink hello,

sending space messages

to Earth below.

9 giant galaxies

spin and spin,

more stars than

we can count within.

10 bright stars

—now look up high—

Astrophysics fills

the whole wide night sky.

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Astrophysics is counting, and wondering, too. It’s learning the universe with me and with you. So close your eyes, let the stars shine bright – Astrophysics says, “Goodnight.”