Welcome to Troop 325's Merit Badge Midway
ASTRONOMY MERIT BADGE
These requirements are new as of 1/1/05
1.
Describe the proper
clothing and other precautions for safely making observations at night an 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 affects 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 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 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 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 time of new, first-quartet, 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.