Astronomy Merit Badge
 Scouting the Stars with Mr. R.

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy
Return to:
[ Scouting with Mr. R. ]

Mr. R. 
"The Universe is an infinite sphere, the centre of which is everywhere, 
the circumference nowhere." - Blaise Pascal

 
Mr. R's Astronomy Passport©  (a 4"x5" pocket guide) is available in PDF format to print out for non-profit use (requires free Adobe Acrobat© Reader).  Passports are copyrighted, but scouts and troops may use them free of charge if they create only one per scout.  BSA councils must first contact Mr. R. before creating large quantities for scout camps, merit badge fairs, etc. (a small nominal fee will be charged).

Astronomy is one of the most popular merit badges at scout camp, where scouts and leaders learn the wonders of the universe.  At Camp Maple Dell we observe the sun through a C90 4" scope fitted with a specialized solar filter (NEVER look at the sun without proper equipment!). At night we learn how to find many bright stars and constellations.  Mr. R. tells stories from American Indian star lore to Greek and Norse mythology.  We chart the moon as it goes through its phases (hopefully) and observe the heavens with both our naked eyes and a computerized 10" Meade LX200 10" telescope. 

LX200
Meade Instruments

 
Req.
#1
 Do the following:
a. Sketch the face of the moon, indicating on it the locations of at least five seas and five craters. 
b. Within a single week sketch the position of the moon in the sky at the same hour on three different evenings. Explain the changes observed. 
c. Tell what factors keep the moon in orbit around the Earth.

 
Req.
#2
 Do ONE of the following:
a. Photograph or locate on a map of the sky a planet at approximately weekly intervals at the same time of night for at least four weeks. Explain any changes noticed on the photographs or map. 
b. Find out when each of the five visible planets will be observable in the evening sky during the next 12 months and compile this information in the form of a chart or table.
NOTE: Astronomy magazines and yearly almanacs usually list where the planets can be seen, usually referring to a planet's location as being in a certain constellation. (Remember, the planet is actually just passing in front of the constellations).

 
Req.
#3
 Do ONE of the following:
a. In a sketch show the position of Venus, Mars, or Jupiter in the sky at approximately weekly intervals at the same time for at least four weeks. 
b. Using a compass, record the direction to the sun at sunset at approximately weekly intervals for at least four weeks in spring or fall (for six to eight weeks in summer or winter) and relate this information to the seasons of the Earth. 
c. With the aid of diagrams explain the relative positions of sun, Earth, and 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. 

 
Req.
#4
 Using the shadow of a vertical pole in sunshine, lay out a true north-south line (a meridian). Then, using a line and the pole on another day, measure the altitude of the noontime sun and determine your latitude.

 
Req.
#5
 Identify in the sky at least 10 constellations, four of which are in the zodiac. Identify at least eight conspicuous stars, five of which are of first magnitude. Then do the following:
a. Show in a sketch the position of the Big Dipper and its relation to the North Star and the horizon early some evening and again six hours later the same night. Record the date and time of making each sketch. 
b. Explain what we see when we look at the Milky Way. 
  • Skymaps.com  Free online skymaps you can print off each month (excellent)
  • Space.com  A great graphic showing the sun passing through constellations, tracing the ecliptic.

 
Req.
#6
 With the aid of diagrams (or real telescopes if available) explain the difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes. Describe the basic purpose of a telescope, and list at least three other instruments used with telescopes.

Yerkes 40" Telescope
World's Largest
Refractor

 
Req.
#7
 Do the following:
a. Describe the composition of the sun, its relationship to other stars, and some effects of its radiation on the Earth's weather. Define sunspots and describe some of the effects they may have on this radiation. 
b. Identify at least one star that is red, one that is blue, and one that is yellow, and explain the meaning of these colors.

Space.com
23 Oct 2003

 
Req.
#8
 Do ONE of the following:
a. Visit a planetarium or observatory and submit a report to your counselor both on the activities occurring there and on the exhibits of instruments and other astronomical objects you observed. 
b. Spend at least three hours observing celestial objects through a telescope or field glass, and write a report for your counselor on what you observed.
  • Skymaps.comFREE online skymaps you can print off each month (excellent).

 
Req.
#9
 Name different career opportunities in astronomy. Explain how to prepare for one of them. List the high school courses most useful in beginning such preparation.

Science@NASA

 
F
Y
I
 Mr. R. helps with questions like...
"How powerful is that telescope?" 
"Who were some of the early astronomers?" 
"Is it true that Polaris hasn't always been the North Star?" 
"What books would you recommend?" 
"What telescopes would you recommend?"
If you have an astronomy question you can e-mail Mr. R. here.

Mr. R.

BSA Advancement ID#: 22
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2002
Requirements last updated prior to 1982
 

Requirements: [1-Moon]  [2-Planets]  [3-Planets & Eclipses]  [4-Experiments]
[5-Galaxy, Stars & Constellations]  [6-Telescopes]  [7-Sun & Stars]  [8-Observation] [9-Careers]
[FYI-For Your Information]
 
 
 

Return to [ Scouting with Mr. R. ]

Merit Badges: [ Astronomy ][ Atomic Energy ][ Basketry ]
[ Citizenship in the Community ][ Citizenship in the Nation ]
[ Citizenship in the World ][ Coin Collecting ][ Communications ][ Family Life ]
[ Environmental Science ][ Fish & Wildlife Management ][ Fishing ]
[ Fly Fishing ][ Forestry ][ Geology ][ Mammal Study ][ Nature ]
[ Oceanography ][ Personal Fitness ][ Personal Management ]
[ Pulp & Paper ][ Soil & Water Conservation ][ Textile ][ Weather ]
 

  Animated graphics by Animation Factory


Number of Visitors
Since March 11, 2003

Webpage updated January 2004
Webmaster, Mr. R.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HTML code for counter <!--WEBBOT bot="HTMLMarkup" startspan ALT="Site Meter" -->
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">var site="sm2astronomy"</script>
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.2" src="http://sm2.sitemeter.com/js/counter.js?site=sm2astronomy">
</script>
<noscript>
<a href="http://sm2.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=sm2astronomy" target="_top">
<img src="http://sm2.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=sm2astronomy" alt="Site Meter" border=0></a>
</noscript>
<!-- Copyright (c)2002 Site Meter -->
<!--WEBBOT bot="HTMLMarkup" Endspan -->