Download Astronomy - Cadet Counselors

Science
Astronomy
PURPOSE
To help your Cadets discover what the psalmist meant
when he said “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies
proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).
LEARNING
The colors tell us that there are many different kinds
of gases and dust particles in the heavens which are affected
by the rays of light that are produced by the various stars
and planets.
Constellation — groups of stars that people have imagined
form “pictures” of people, animals, and objects. Astronomers
use them to divide the sky into sections for identification.
Satellite — any body that revolves around a planet. Our moon,
which circles the earth, is a satellite. The bodies that revolve
about certain stars and cause them to dim and brighten are
also called satellites.
Comet — a heavenly body that looks like a star with a tail
streaking behind it.
Meteor — a piece of metal or stony material that hurtles
into the earth’s atmosphere from outer space. They normally
cannot be seen until they enter the atmosphere of the earth
(about 100 miles up) and begin to glow because of the friction with the heavy air.
Meteorite — a meteor becomes a meteorite when it strikes
the ground.
Eclipse — when one heavenly body becomes hidden by the
shadow of another. For example, every 32 years the moon
passes between the earth and the sun so the sun is hidden.
This is called a solar eclipse.
DOING
1. This takes only a simple compass and will show your
Cadets how the earth revolves around the sun.
2.Projects
a. Tin can constellation maps — nine constellations are
shown in the Cadet merit badge. He must select
five. The can is made like this:
done much to remove the mysticism of astrology,
which today is not even considered to be a science.
If man would only turn to the Word of God, he
would discover who made the heavens and earth
and develop a proper perspective of the stars and
planets as part of God’s creation.
d. Eight planets
1) Mercury — closest approach to earth is 28 million miles (45 million km); average temperature
range is from -300° F (-183° C) in the night
to 800° F (427° C) during the day; no life.
2) Venus — closest approach to earth is 25 million
miles (40 million km); temperature is 855° F
(457° C) with no significant change between
day and night; no life.
3) Earth — we’re on it! Temperatures range from
-128° F (-89° C) to 136° F (57.7° C); lots of
life!
4) Mars — closest approach to earth is 35 million
miles (56 million km); temperatures range from
-116° F (-82° C) in the night to 32° F (0° C)
during the day; possibly has life.
5) Jupiter — closest approach to earth is 365
million miles (588 million km); temperature
is -101° F (-150° C); probably no life.
6) Saturn — closest approach to earth is 746
million miles (1.2 billion km); temperature is
-274° F (-170° C); no life.
7) Uranus — closest approach to earth is 1.6 billion miles (2.57 billion km); temperature is
-328° F (-200° C); no life.
8) Neptune — closest approach to earth is 2.68  billion miles (4.3 billion km); temperature is -346°
F (-210° C); no life.
* Pluto — no longer considered a planet, but
may still be in older versions of the R•P•B
Guidebook; closest approach to earth is 2.7
billion miles (4.34 billion km); temperature
is -380° F (-229° C); no life.
Note: The temperature is basically determined by
the distance the planet is from the sun.
e.Self-explanatory.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
TAB END
BOTTOM
b. Observatory or planetarium program — visit with
your cadre so you will be able to evaluate their
reports.
c. Use an encyclopedia or the Internet to get this information. Point out that the study of astronomy has
EXPLORING:
SCIENCE: ASTRONOMY
To use as a cadre merit badge:
1. Each item under “Learning” and item #1 under “Doing”
should be completed by each Cadet.
2. Encourage your Cadets to divide the five projects in
item #2 under “Doing” among themselves so that each
project will be completed by at least one of them. Each
Cadet is still to do two projects. Make a cadre display
of their projects when they are finished.
3. For more information, see the God in Nature Counselor
Aid Booklet (#3030 on your supply order form).
33