Astronomy — Merit Badge — Scout Troop 79

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Scout	AWARD	Req 1				Req 2	Req 3				Req 4				Req 5				Req 6				Req 7			Req 8Complete any one						Req 9Complete any one
Scout		1a	1b	1c	1d	2	3a	3b	3c	3d	4a	4b	4c	4d	5a	5b	5c	5d	6a	6b	6c	6d	7a	7b	7c	8a	8b	8c	8d	8e	8f	9a	9b
Anjali S.First Class	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□
Hazel S.Star	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□
Jack P.Star	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□
Oliver V.Star	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□
Veronica K.Star	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□
Violet B.Tenderfoot	☆	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	□	■	□	□	□	□	□	□

Requirements

From the official BSA merit badge pamphlet — wording is paraphrased here. Confirm against the current pamphlet for sign-off.

View resources · shown when a requirement has any Suggest a resource · always

For the whole badge

Explain hazards of astronomy activities and how to anticipate, prevent, and respond

Explain first aid for heat/cold reactions, dehydration, bites, stings, eye damage

Describe proper clothing and precautions for night and cold-weather observing

Explain how to safely observe the Sun, objects near it, and solar eclipses

Explain light pollution and how it and air pollution affect astronomy

Explain why binoculars and telescopes are important tools and how they are used

Compare several telescope types, including one beyond visible light

Explain the purposes of three instruments used with astronomical telescopes

Describe proper care and storage of telescopes and binoculars

Identify 10 constellations in the sky, at least four in the zodiac

Identify eight conspicuous stars, five of magnitude 1 or brighter

Sketch the Big Dipper or Cassiopeia twice, hours apart, with North Star and horizon

Explain what we see when we look at the Milky Way

List the five most visible planets; explain which show phases and why

Chart when each of the five planets is observable over the next 12 months

Describe the motion of the planets across the sky

Observe a planet and describe what you saw

Sketch the face of the Moon; label five seas and five craters

Sketch the Moon's phase and position four nights in one week; explain changes

List the factors that keep the Moon in orbit around Earth

Diagram Sun-Earth-Moon positions for eclipses and the four main phases

Describe the Sun's composition, relation to other stars, and effects on Earth

Define sunspots and describe their effects on solar radiation

Identify a red, a blue, and a yellow star; explain the meaning of the colors

(Do any one of the following)

Visit a planetarium or observatory and submit a report, scrapbook, or video

Plan an observation session covering at least 10 new celestial objects with a log

Plan and host a star party for your troop or another group

Help an astronomy club hold a public star party

Photograph the movement of a celestial object; label, map, and present images

Use online observing (e.g., SkyNet) to observe objects; describe the experience

(Do any one of the following)

Research three astronomy careers; pick one and report training, pay, prospects

Research astronomy as a personal hobby: training, expenses, organizations, goals