Astronomy
Description
In learning about astronomy, Scouts study how activities in space affect our own planet and bear witness to the wonders of the night sky: the nebulae, or giant clouds of gas and dust where new stars are born; old stars dying and exploding; meteor showers and shooting stars; the moon, planets, and a dazzling array of stars.
Prerequisites
4--Do the following (if instruction is done in a planetarium, Scouts must still identify the required stars and constellations outside under the natural night sky):
a. Identify in the sky 10 constellations, at least four of which are in the zodiac.
b. Identify in the sky eight conspicuous stars, five of which are of magnitude 1 or brighter.
c. Make two sketches of the Big Dipper or Cassiopeia from direct observation. In one sketch, show the Big Dipper's or Cassiopeia's orientation in the early evening sky. Make another sketch, showing its position several hours later. In both sketches, show the North Star and the horizon. Record the date and time each sketch was made.
6--Do the Following;
a. Sketch the face of the Moon and indicate five seas and five craters. Label these landmarks.
b. Sketch the phase and position of the Moon, at the same hour and place, for four nights (or days) within a one-week period by direct observation. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.
8--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: activities occurring there, exhibits and displays you saw, telescopes and other instruments being used, and celestial objects you observed.
b. Plan and participate in an observation session that includes using binoculars or a telescope and includes at least 10 celestial objects beyond those observed in requirement These might be lunar features, Messier objects, additional constellations or planets, or artificial satellites including the International Space Station. List the celestial objects you want to observe and find each in a star chart, guidebook or by using an app. Prepare a log or notebook. Discuss with your counselor what you hope to observe prior to your observation session. 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, meteor, 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.
f. With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, use online observing opportunities such as SkyNet to observe planets, comets, galaxies, and/or the sun. Describe your experience to your counselor.
All pre-requisites can be emailed to Karen Meury at kjmeury@earthlink.net. Please make sure to include your parent or scoutmaster in your emails to maintain requirements for SYT.
a. Identify in the sky 10 constellations, at least four of which are in the zodiac.
b. Identify in the sky eight conspicuous stars, five of which are of magnitude 1 or brighter.
c. Make two sketches of the Big Dipper or Cassiopeia from direct observation. In one sketch, show the Big Dipper's or Cassiopeia's orientation in the early evening sky. Make another sketch, showing its position several hours later. In both sketches, show the North Star and the horizon. Record the date and time each sketch was made.
6--Do the Following;
a. Sketch the face of the Moon and indicate five seas and five craters. Label these landmarks.
b. Sketch the phase and position of the Moon, at the same hour and place, for four nights (or days) within a one-week period by direct observation. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.
8--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: activities occurring there, exhibits and displays you saw, telescopes and other instruments being used, and celestial objects you observed.
b. Plan and participate in an observation session that includes using binoculars or a telescope and includes at least 10 celestial objects beyond those observed in requirement These might be lunar features, Messier objects, additional constellations or planets, or artificial satellites including the International Space Station. List the celestial objects you want to observe and find each in a star chart, guidebook or by using an app. Prepare a log or notebook. Discuss with your counselor what you hope to observe prior to your observation session. 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, meteor, 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.
f. With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, use online observing opportunities such as SkyNet to observe planets, comets, galaxies, and/or the sun. Describe your experience to your counselor.
All pre-requisites can be emailed to Karen Meury at kjmeury@earthlink.net. Please make sure to include your parent or scoutmaster in your emails to maintain requirements for SYT.