Governor Pritzker’s “stay-at-home” order has left lots of Chicagoans wondering how ⁠they can safely enjoy the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the city’s lakefront, adjacent parks, the 606 and Riverwalk have been closed because people were congregating in large groups, many natural areas in the region remain open. So people can still go outside to walk, run or bike ride, as long as they remain six feet away from other individuals. If these rules are followed, experts say spending time outdoors can be really good for mental and physical well-being. We asked Chicagoans for ways they’ve spent time outside while practicing safe social distancing — and we’re highlighting an activity to try each day this week. Today’s activity, stargazing, only requires a clear sky, a porch chair and your eyes.  Just look up! Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, said stargazing at night is a great way to get outside during COVID-19. “There’s no limitation that says you can only go outside during the day,” she said. “Being out at night can be just as mentally beneficial as going outside to see the daylight.” Chicago astronomer Joe Guzman, also known as “Astro Joe,” leads star talks for Chicago’s Park District, the 606 and After School Matters. He said it’s possible to see lots of stars without having to leave your own backyard — just try to get away from any glare. “Although we have intense light pollution in the city, it’s a misnomer that you can’t see anything,” he said. “Find a shaded area away from street lights and the skies will open up to you.” To start, Guzman said to sit in a chair facing north and try to find Polaris — the North Star — because “everything orbits Polaris.” For help, he suggests bringing a printed star chart out with you or downloading an app like Sky Safari or Stellarium to help you identify constellations and planets. And, while you can still see a lot with your naked eye, a pair of binoculars can greatly enhance the experience.  Nichols added that it’s important to wear layers, including warm socks. You might also want to bring a sketchbook to draw what you observe and write notes. “And, hot chocolate is always a welcome addition to the evening.” If you want guidance for what to look for, Nichols recommends checking out astronomy resource websites like earthsky.org/tonight or timeanddate.com’s moon phases section. The Adler Planetarium also has frequent “#LookUp” posts on social media and a printable LookUp guide for beginner astronomers featuring drawing and journaling prompts to get to know the sky over the course of a week. What you can see this spring Venus When: 10-15 minutes after sunset. Where: High in the western sky. What to look for: Venus is one of the brightest objects in the night sky between now and mid-May. If you have binoculars, look for the phases of Venus —Venus is at half-Venus now in late March, moving toward being a thin crescent by mid-May. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn When: Early morning, starting about 2 hours prior to sunrise. Where: Low in the southeast sky. What to look for: Mars is orange, Saturn is a yellow-tan color, and Jupiter is the brightest. Comet ATLAS When: The comet will be closest to Earth on May 23rd and viewed as a sunset object close to the horizon. Where: Presently, the comet is passing the orbit of Mars and is positioned around the Big Dipper high up in the northern skies. It will continue toward the western horizon in the next two months. What to look for: The comet is presently exhibiting an emerald green-ish glow, signifying a concentration of heavy carbon/nitrogen and cyanide vaporizing. It's visible via telescopes, and perhaps the naked eye in mid-May. Tips for keeping distanced Nichols said it’s easy to stargaze without ever having to leave your backyard. “There’s no one best spot to observe the sky. The best place to observe the sky is wherever you currently are. So you don’t have to find that perfect location —