Astronomy

Astronomy merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in astronomy activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

   b. 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.

   c. Describe the proper clothing and other precautions for safely making observations at night and in cold weather. Then explain how to safely observe the Sun, objects near the Sun, and the Moon.

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, including at least one that observes light beyond the visible part of the spectrum (i.e., radio, X-ray, ultraviolet, or infrared).

   c. Explain the purposes of at least three instruments used with astronomical telescopes.

   d. Describe the proper care and storage of telescopes and binoculars both at home and in the field.

4. Do the following:*

   a. Identify in the sky at least 10 constellations, at least four of which are in the zodiac.

   b. Identify in the sky 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. Using the Internet (with your parent’s permission), books, and other resources, 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.

   c. Describe the motion of the planets across the sky.

   d. Observe a planet and describe what you saw.

6. 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 four nights within a one week period. 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.

7. 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 and communications.

   b. Define sunspots and describe some of the effects they may have on solar radiation.

   c. Identify at least one red star, one blue star, and one yellow star (other than the Sun). Explain the meaning of these colors.

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:

   1. Activities occurring there

   2. Exhibits and displays you saw

   3. Telescopes and other instruments being used

   4. 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 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.

9. Find out about three career opportunities in astronomy. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

* For requirement 4: If instruction is done in a planetarium, Scouts must still identify the required stars and constellations under the natural night sky.

**For requirement 8b: To complete this requirement, you may use the Scout Planning Worksheet at http://troopleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/512-505_16_Wksht_WEB.pdf.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Scouts BSA Requirements, 2019 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #648914)

A FREE workbook for Astronomy is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Astronomy requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Astronomy merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Scouts BSA Merit Badges: Animal Science  •  Archaeology  •  Astronomy  •  Architecture  •  Chemistry  •  Composite Materials  •  Digital Technology  •  Electricity  •  Electronics  •  Energy  •  Environmental Science  •  Geology  •  Nuclear Science  •  Radio  •  Space Exploration  •  Weather

• Scout ranks: Scout  •  Tenderfoot  •  Second Class  •  First Class
• Scout awards: Firem'n Chit  •  Totin' Chip  •  Paul Bunyan Woodsman  •  National Outdoor Badges  •  National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Scout merit badges: Archaeology  •  Archery  •  Astronomy  •  Athletics  •  Backpacking  •  Bird Study  •  Camping  •  Canoeing  •  Climbing  •  Cooking  •  Cycling  •  Environmental Science  •  Farm Mechanics  •  Fire Safety  •  Fish and Wildlife Management  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Forestry  •  Gardening  •  Geocaching  •  Geology  •  Golf  •  Hiking  •  Horsemanship  •  Insect Study  •  Kayaking  •  Mammal Study  •  Motorboating  •  Nature  •  Oceanography  •  Orienteering  •  Personal Fitness  •  Pioneering  •  Reptile and Amphibian Study  •  Rifle Shooting  •  Rowing  •  Scuba Diving  •  Search and Rescue  •  Shotgun Shooting  •  Signs, Signals, and Codes  •  Skating  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Snow Sports  •  Soil and Water Conservation  •  Space Exploration  •  Sports  •  Surveying  •  Swimming  •  Traffic Safety  •  Weather  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater  •  Wilderness Survival
• Venturing: Wilderness Survival Ranger Core  •  Backpacking Ranger Award elective  •  National Outdoor Badges  •  National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Sea Scouting: National Outdoor Badges  •  National Medal for Outdoor Achievement

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.