Boy Scouts of America
Grand Canyon Council / Superstition District
Astronomy
Merit Badge
Councilor: Lane B. Smith
Office Phone: 480-677-2172
Email: trailmaster@survivalaz.com
This section of this website is for Boy Scouts
taking the Astronomy Merit Badge Clinic facilitated by Mr. Lane Smith.
All visitors are not restricted to any materials contained here. However, all documents
and files created by Mr. Smith are under copyright through DIT Systems, LLC, and
cannot be used for commercial purposes or profit gain without explicit written
permission from DIT Systems, LLC.
Merit Badge Requirements
1) Describe the proper clothing and other
precautions for safely making observations at night and in cold weather. Tell
how to safely observe the Sun, objects near the sun, and the Moon. Explain
first aid for injuries or illnesses, such as heat and cold reactions,
dehydration, bites and stings, and damage to your eyes that could occur during
observation.
2) Explain what light pollution is and how it and
air pollution affect astronomy.
3) With the aid of diagrams (or real telescopes if
available), do each of the following:
A) Explain why binoculars and telescopes are
important astronomical tools. Demonstrate or explain how these tools are
used.
B) Describe the similarities and differences of several types of
astronomical telescopes.
C) Explain the purposes of at least three instruments use with
astronomical telescopes.
4) Do the following:
A) Identify in the sky at least 10
constellations, at least four of which are in the Zodiac.
B) Identify at least eight conspicuous stars, five of which are of
magnitude 1 or brighter.
C) Make two sketches of the Big Dipper. In one sketch, show the Big
Dipper’s orientation in the early evening sky. In another sketch, show its
position several hours later. In both sketches, show the North Star and the
horizon. Record the date and time each sketch was made.
D) Explain what we see when we look at the Milky Way.
5) Do the following:
A) List the names of the five most visible
planets. Explain which ones can appear in phases similar to lunar phases
and which ones cannot, and explain why.
B) Find out when each of the five most visible planets that you
identified in requirement 5a will be observable in the evening sky during
the next 12 months, then compile this information in the form of a chart or
table. Update your chart monthly to show whether each planet will be
visible during the early morning or in the evening sky.
6) At approximately weekly intervals, sketch the
position of Venus, Mars or Jupiter in relation to the stars. Do this for at
least four weeks and at the same time of night. On your sketch, record the date
and time next to the planet’s position. Use your sketch to explain how planets
move.
7) Do the following:
A) Sketch the face of the moon and indicate at
least five seas and five craters. Label these landmarks.
B) Sketch the phase and the daily position of the Moon at the same hour
and place, for a week. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills,
trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.
C) List the factors that keep the Moon in orbit around the Earth.
D) With the aid of diagrams, explain the relative positions of the Sun,
Earth, and the Moon at the times of lunar and solar eclipses, and at the
times of new, first-quarter, full, and last-quarter phases of the moon.
8) Do the following:
A) Describe the composition of the Sun, its
relationship to other stars, and some effects of its radiation on Earth’s
weather. Define sunspots and describe some of the effects they may have on
solar radiation.
B) Identify at least one red star, one blue star, and one yellow star
(other than the Sun). Explain the meaning of these colors.
9) With your counselor’s approval and guidance, do
ONE of the following:
A) Visit a planetarium or astronomical
observatory. Submit a written report, a scrapbook, or a video presentation
afterward to your counselor that includes the following information:
1. Activities occurring there
2. Exhibits and displays you saw
3. Telescopes and instruments being used
4. Celestial objects you observed.
B) Plan and participate in a three-hour
observation session that includes using binoculars or a telescope. List the
celestial objects you want to observe, and find each on a star chart or in a
guidebook. Prepare an observing log or notebook. Show your plan, charts,
and log or notebook to your counselor before making your observations.
Review your log or notebook with your counselor afterward.
C) Plan and host a star party for your Scout
troop or other group such as your class at school. Use binoculars or a
telescope to show and explain celestial objects to the group.
D) Help an astronomy club in your community hold
a star party that is open to the public.
E) Personally take a series of photographs or
digital images of the movement of the Moon, a planet, and asteroid or
meteoroid, or a comet. In your visual display, label each image and include
the date and time it was taken. Show all positions on a star chart or map.
Show your display at school or at a troop meeting. Explain the changes you
observed.
10) List at least three different career
opportunities in astronomy. Pick the one in which you are most interested and
explain how to prepare for such a career. Discuss with your counselor what
courses might be useful for such a career.
Current Sky in East Queen Creek, AZ
Click on the image for a printable sky map
Click here for a customizable
time sky map
Downloads
Right click on the associated icon and choose "Save Target As..."
Right Click on the icon to download the
Astronomy Merit Badge worksheet
Right Click on the icon to download the
May 12 and June 15 Star Maps
Right Click on the icon to download the
Meade Telestar Astronomical Software
Right Click on the icon to download the
Virtual Moon Software
Right Click on the icon to download the
Virtual Moon Atlas Supplements
Right Click on the icon to download the
Stellarium 0.8.2 Software
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 8pm MST - LoRes
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 12am MST - LoRes
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 4am MST - LoRes
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 8pm MST - HiRes
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 12am MST - HiRes
Right Click on the icon to download the
2007 Sky Animation - 4am MST - HiRes
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