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.

Cousin Ricky wrote:

Larry Brown wrote in message ...

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

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.


8a. Define "north circumpolar."

Where i live, there are *NO* constellations that fit the above
requirements. Ursa Minor is missing its 3rd brightest star. Cepheus
and Draco each manage 1 fairly bright star. Two other constellations
have nondescript regions that break circumpolar. Is such a badge
possible here? (I can't remember if i tried for that badge.)

Boy Scouts in Fairbanks have their work cut out for them. Boy Scouts
in American Samoa would appear to be SOL.

They'd just have to observe 6 months apart ... except for those poor
Samoan boys; they'd have to lay on the warm sand and linger under the
stars for years with fresh tropical breezes wafting overhead, still not
seeing Polaris: such a pity.


Not a bad program, though.

P.S. Do not use that manual as a first aid reference. The procedure
for stemming bleeding (if i remember my 1960s/1970s vintage manual
correctly) could cost someone a limb. The advice for treating
snakebites could cost someone his life.

I missed that - snake bite is a typical hazard of Astronomy, with
remedies covered in the Astronomy Merit Badge manual??

On 09/17/2003 08:37 AM lal_truckee wrote:

I missed that - snake bite is a typical hazard of Astronomy, with
remedies covered in the Astronomy Merit Badge manual??

Sure. There are plenty of places where one could be bitten by a
venomous nocturnal snake. My hilltop location is home to both
Tiger Keelback and Mamushi (a pit viper). No shorts and sandals
for me up there. No doubt a lot of folks view from locations that
feature similar risks.

trane
--
//------------------------------------------------------------
// Trane Francks Tokyo, Japan
// Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.
// http://mp3.com/trane_francks/

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

"John Steinberg" wrote in message
...

carrying 200 lbs. of K-rations on your back

you had k-rations???

;-)

mark d.