Boy Scout Astronomy merit badge requirements, 1940

To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

1. Describe the characteristics and differences of the celestial bodies
including the sun, moon, planets, comets, meteors, stars, nebulae, and
galaxies.
2. Show that he has a clear understanding of the structure of the
universe by describing: (a) the relative position of the earth in the
solar system; (b) the relation of the solar system to the Milky Way
Galaxy; (c) the relation of the galaxy to other systems in the Universe.

3. Explain the actual and apparent movements of the earth, moon, sun,
and other planets.
4. Explain the causes of (a) the phases of the moon; (b) tides; (c)
solar and lunar eclipses; (d) the seasons; (e) leap year.
5. Know the differences between the following kinds of time; (a)
sidereal (startime); (b) solar; (c) apparent; (d) mean; (e) local; and
(f) standard.
6. Identify in the sky: (a) at least 8 first magnitude stars; (b) 15
principal constellations, including at least 4 in the zodiac. Be able to
find the North by means of other stars than Polaris.
7. Explain the differences between a planet and a star. Explain the
motions and characteristics by which each of the 5 naked-eye planets can
be positively identified at any time it is visible.
8. Make from personal observations, a carefully drawn map (at least 8.5
x 8.5 inches) of the north circumpolar region of the sky. Show the
principal stars in at least five constellations.
9. Construct at least one of the following: (a) sundial; (b) star clock;
(c) planisphere; (d) simple refracting telescope; (e) four-inch
telescope mirror; (f) simple telescope mounting.
10. In meeting the requirements, do more than merely follow the
requirements technically. Show that you have a real knowledge of the
subject. As you know, this knowledge should be practical rather than
just "book-learning", and a Scout is ready at any examination to answer
questions on previous tests given to him.


Compare that to any college graduate's knowledge of astronomy!
See http://home.fuse.net/astronomy/boyscout.html
Clear skies!
Larry Brown

Larry Brown wrote:
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

2. Show that he has a clear understanding of the structure of the
universe by describing: (a) the relative position of the earth in the
solar system; (b) the relation of the solar system to the Milky Way
Galaxy; (c) the relation of the galaxy to other systems in the Universe.


That last bit could take a while g

Larry Brown wrote:

To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

1. Describe the characteristics and differences of the celestial bodies
including the sun, moon, planets, comets, meteors, stars, nebulae, and
galaxies.
2. Show that he has a clear understanding of the structure of the
universe by describing: (a) the relative position of the earth in the
solar system; (b) the relation of the solar system to the Milky Way
Galaxy; (c) the relation of the galaxy to other systems in the Universe.

I wonder what the 1940 expected answer to part 1.(c) was?
What was known, what was speculated, what was discounted ...

CLIP

Larry Brown wrote in message ...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

1. Describe the characteristics and differences of the celestial bodies
including the sun, moon, planets, comets, meteors, stars, nebulae, and
galaxies.
[...]

Whew, that sure brings back memories. Astronomy was one of my first merit
badges circa mid 1950s. Among other things, I built a refractor and an orrery
as I recall.

I wonder what today's (21st century) requirements are like?

You can find the modern Astronomy Merit Badge Requirements at
www.meritbadge.com

The new requirements are quite different from the 1940 version. However,
they are fun to teach. Unfortunately, whenever I try to do any astronomy
(either teaching the merit badge or just some camping trip sky gazing) with
my Troop, we have cloudy skies at best and usually a deluge.



"Thad Floryan" wrote in message
om...
Larry Brown wrote in message
...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

1. Describe the characteristics and differences of the celestial bodies
including the sun, moon, planets, comets, meteors, stars, nebulae, and
galaxies.
[...]

Whew, that sure brings back memories. Astronomy was one of my first merit
badges circa mid 1950s. Among other things, I built a refractor and an
orrery
as I recall.

I wonder what today's (21st century) requirements are like?

Bruce Schupler wrote:

You can find the modern Astronomy Merit Badge Requirements at
www.meritbadge.com

Thanks for the link ...

"Thad Floryan" wrote in message
om...

I wonder what today's (21st century) requirements are like?

It looks like they are dumbed down considerably ...

Everything was harder in my youth - why, our Boy Scout hikes were uphill
both ways.

Larry Brown wrote in message ...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

**** the Boy Scouts.

Sorry, for the language, but there is no better way to say it.

Doug Hosey

(Doogie Hoosier) wrote in message om...
Larry Brown wrote in message ...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:



**** the Boy Scouts.

Doug Hosey

Apparently you were a former scoutmaster.

Jim

(Doogie Hoosier) wrote in message om...
Larry Brown wrote in message ...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

F[*] the Boy Scouts.

Sorry, for the language, but there is no better way to say it.

Doug Hosey

I believe your desire to do that to boy scouts would be prevented by
their rules restricting certain people from participating as boy
scouts or leaders.

Back on topic. Many of us that enjoy astronomy had our first exposure
to it as a result of the boy scout program.

(Russell Chase) wrote in message . com...
(Doogie Hoosier) wrote in message om...
Larry Brown wrote in message ...
To obtain a Merit Badge for Astronomy, a Scout must:

F[*] the Boy Scouts.

Sorry, for the language, but there is no better way to say it.

Doug Hosey

I believe your desire to do that to boy scouts would be prevented by
their rules restricting certain people from participating as boy
scouts or leaders.

Back on topic. Many of us that enjoy astronomy had our first exposure
to it as a result of the boy scout program.

Nah, if that were true, I'd have said to **** *some* boy scouts.

There was a kid who had already made it to Eagle Scout when the Boy
Scouts found out that he was an atheist.

They kicked him out, but in order to say they were not discriminating
over a religious matter, they said he could stay if he had *any*
religious beliefs at all, or if he just said that he believed in a
"higher power" (whatever that is). Admitting to *any* religious faith
was good enough...Hindu, Islam, Judaism...*ANY* religious belief, they
said, even "Gaia." Apparently you can worship Satan and the Scouts
will accept you.

The boy stood his ground, and got the boot.