SIG - Boy Scouts of America
Cub Scouts Astronomy Belt Loop and Academics Pin
The BSA Astronomy Merit Badge is offered by the Wilderness Center Astronomy Club. Merit badge classes are offered during our public viewing nights (first Friday of the month). Other nights can be arranged. Scouts wishing to pursue and obtain the Astronomy Merit Badge can contact Bill Castro via email (webmaster@twcac.org), Jeff Brest (listed as Astronomy Merit Badge councilor for Buckeye Council from your Scout Master or the Council) or Joann Ballbach, Education Director at The Wilderness Center, via email (joann@wildernesscenter.org) or phone (877) 359-5235.
Troop 122, Doylestown posing in the observatory after completing
the Astronomy merit badge.
RISE_SET2.xls - Winter 2010 planets handout with rise and set times for Sun, Venus, Mars and Jupiter in MS Excel format.
amb_planetarium_winter.doc - Requirement 4 suggestions for constellations and bright stars visible in late winter.
When observing and drawing the position of the Moon (7b),
it is easiest to start just before first quarter Moon.
There are lots of specifics on lunar orbit and phase online.
Here is one example.
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/lps.html
When drawing what you see, do this at approximately the same time of night
(give or take 15 minutes). When making a drawing, draw a line for the
horizon (close to the bottom) and note which direction (N, S, E, W...) it
is. Note on the drawing objects on the horizon like a building, tree...
Note some bright stars and the constellation the moon is in at that time.
On subsequent days stand at approximately the same place and time draw the horizon,
reference points on the horizon, the same bright stars/constellation (if the object is in the same constellation)
and note the position of the planet or moon amongst the stars/constellation..
You can go online to see a planetarium or star charting program that will
show you the bright stars and horizon for any given night to check your
work.
Here are some star charting sites. They will also show you what time and
where planets and the moon will be visible.
http://www.wunderground.com/sky/index.asp
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/skychart
Additional Information
AstronomyMB2.pdf - Astronomy Merit Badge worksheet in Adobe format. Use this worksheet to answer requirements.
AstronomyMB2.doc - Astronomy Merit Badge worksheet in Word format. Use this worksheet to answer requirements.
http://www.can-do.com/science/moonphases/moonphases.html - Phases of the Moon, shows a diagram of the phases of the moon arround the earth with the sun at the left as shown in the merit badge worksheet.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/javascript# - Almanac - Tells when the Sun set, and when does twilight end? Which planets are visible? What time does the Moon rise, and what's its phase? SkyandTelescope.com's interactive almanac answers these and many other questions for every night of the year.
http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html - All sky maps in PDF format
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/retrograde/copernican.html - Planets motion
http://library.thinkquest.org/29033/begin/direct.htm - Direct and retrograde motion of planets.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/178098/eclipse - Shows Sun, Earth and moon alignments for solar and lunar eclipse
What to expect at a Public Viewing Night - General information about the Public Viewing Nights at The Wilderness Center. Read this before coming to one.
Astronomy Merit Badge Requirements - A new version of the merit badge pamphlet for this merit badge, effective January 1, 2005.
Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - Additional information on the Scout buddy system and other scouting links.
Sky and Telescope Magazine - Sky maps and almanac of what's up and when.
What's Up - The What's Up page on this web site has many useful links at the bottom of the page.
Meritbadge.com - The astronomy MB requirements page has many astronomy links.
If you are doing the merit badge and have a question email Bill Castro. (webmaster@twcac.org)
Cub Scouts Astronomy Belt Loop and Academics Pin
The Cub Scout Astronomy Belt Loop and Academics pin offered by the Wilderness Center Astronomy Club. Sessoins are offered during our public viewing nights (first Friday of the month). Other nights can be arranged. Scouts wishing to pursue this can contact Bill Castro via email (webmaster@twcac.org) or Joann Ballbach, Education Director at The Wilderness Center, via email (joann@wildernesscenter.org) or phone (877) 359-5235.
http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/academics/astronomy.asp - Requirements for the Cub Scout Astronomy Belt Loop and Academics pin for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts.
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Last updated March 6, 2010, by Bill Castro (webmaster@twcac.org)
