Astronomy Merit Badge

Congratulations on choosing to pursue the Astronomy Merit badge. It is the beginning of a great adventure of exploration and learning. Just imaging that when you are outside on a clear night staring out into the sky, you are actually standing on the deck of Spaceship Earth as it hurtles through the void of space. You just never know what you may see from one night to the next. Earning the Astronomy merit badge will give you the scientific knowledge to understand what you see in the cosmos. It will prepare you to navigate the void of space.

This website will help you get started. It is designed to take you to places that hold the knowledge and tools to help you earn the badge. But it will not do the work for you. You will have to learn to use the tools and process the data to meet the requirements. Good Luck on your adventure.... to infinity and beyond!

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.

i. Refractor

ii. Reflector

iii. Compound

c. Explain the purposes of at least three instruments used 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 first magnitude 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.

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 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:

i) Activities occurring there

ii) Exhibits and displays you saw

iii) Telescopes and instruments being used

iv) 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, an 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.

1) List at least three different career opportunities in astronomy. Pick the one you in which 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.

Stellarium is a very high quality freeware program that lets you explore the night sky on your computer. Several requirements can be met by using Stellarium and following the lesson associated with the requirement.

Click here to go to the web site to download this program. Make sure you have your parent’s permission to load this program onto your computer.

Who am I?

My name is Brian Cieslak and I am an Astronomy Merit Badge Counselor for the S.E. Wisconsin Council of the Boy Scouts Of America. I have been an amateur astronomer since I was in the sixth grade when my teacher gave me my first look at the planet Saturn through his large reflecting telescope. I am also an assistant at the Horwitz Planetarium in Waukesha, Wis.