* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Astronomy Merit Badge Workshop
International Ultraviolet Explorer wikipedia , lookup
Archaeoastronomy wikipedia , lookup
Astrophotography wikipedia , lookup
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems wikipedia , lookup
Cassiopeia (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Star of Bethlehem wikipedia , lookup
Theoretical astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Perseus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
History of Solar System formation and evolution hypotheses wikipedia , lookup
Extraterrestrial life wikipedia , lookup
Definition of planet wikipedia , lookup
Star formation wikipedia , lookup
Cygnus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Extraterrestrial skies wikipedia , lookup
Aquarius (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
Planetary system wikipedia , lookup
Astronomical naming conventions wikipedia , lookup
Chinese astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Corvus (constellation) wikipedia , lookup
History of astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Planetarium wikipedia , lookup
Constellation wikipedia , lookup
Hebrew astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Observational astronomy wikipedia , lookup
Astronomy Merit Badge Workshop Workbook & Observation Journal Boy Scouts of America & Adler Planetarium Hello! Space—the final frontier. Whether you’re a Star Trek fan or not, the study of the cosmos—Astronomy—is an amazing and infinitely rewarding journey and is a field that is constantly expanding the frontiers of knowledge. From quarks to quasars and black holes to binary stars, we live in a complex and ever-changing universe. Welcome! This workbook is your introduction to the study of Astronomy, and must be completed before attending the Astronomy Merit Badge Workshop at the Adler Planetarium on ________. The remaining requirements NOT included in this workbook will be completed at the workshop. The workspace provided for each requirement is designed for you to research, make notes, draw sketches, collect data, and share your results with your Counselor AND the Blue Card-Certified staff member at the Adler Planetarium. Does not lose this workbook! You will need to bring it with you to the Planetarium. Good luck, and keep looking up! 2 Table of Contents Welcome Page Identifying Stars & Constellations Requirement 4a, 4b, 4c Identifying the Planets Requirements 5a, 5b, 5c Identifying the Moon Requirement 6b Site Work 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, or 8e 3 Identifying Stars and Constellations Requirements Satisfied: 4a, 4b, 4c 4a. Identify in the sky at least 10 constellations, at least four of which are in the zodiac. Suggestion Procedure: Using a Star Finder (also called a Planisphere), go outside on a clear night, set the correct time and date, and orient yourself so that you and the Star Finder are aligned to true north.* The visible field in your Star Finder should roughly correspond to what you see in the night sky. Pick out 10 constellations (at least 4 of which are in the Zodiac) and note them below. Alternatively, do an internet search for constellations visible from your area at this time of year, pick out 10, and note them below. *Do an Internet search for “Star Finder” of “Planisphere.” There are several good templates on the Internet; all you need to construct your own is a printer, scissors, and a brass fastener. Constellations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 4b. Identify at least eight conspicuous stars, five of which are magnitude 1 or brighter. Suggested Procedure: Just by looking up at a star-filled night sky, it is obvious that stars vary in brightness. Some are very large yet very far away, while others are smaller than our Sun but could be hundreds or thousands of light years closer. The brighter the star, the lower the magnitude—the brightest stars have a magnitude around 1 or less. The Sun, for example as an apparent magnitude of -26.72! Use your Star Finder to locate conspicuous stars in the night sky, and/or do an internet search for at least five stars which are magnitude 1 or brighter. Stars: 1. 4 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 4c. 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. Suggested Procedure: Choose a clear night when you will have time and the ability to make observations some hours apart. Looking north, draw the position of the big dipper in relation to the North Star. Note the time next to it. Several hours later (six hours are best but at least four and preferable more than five hours) draw the position of the Big Dipper in relation to the North Star and note the time next to it. (Be sure clearly identify which diagram represents which observation.) Date: ___/___/___ Time:_______ North Star / Polaris Date: ___/___/___ Time:_______ North Star / Polaris 5 Identifying the Planets Requirements Satisfied: 5a, 5b, 5c 5a. 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. Suggested Procedure: Use the Internet (with your parent’s permission) books, and other resources to find information on the five most visible planets and why/why not they display phases similar to the moon as seen from Earth. Planets Phases? Why? 5b. 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, the compile this information in the form of a chart or a table. Suggested Procedure: Use the Internet (with your parent’s permission), books, and other resources to find out when the five most visible planets will be in the evening sky over the next 12 months. Planet / Month January February March April May June July August September October November December 5c. Describe the motions of the planets across the sky. 6 Suggested Procedure: Use the Internet (with your parent’s permission), books, and other resources to find out how the planets move across the sky. Make sure to explain in your own words! Identifying the Moon Requirements Satisfied: 6b 6b. Sketch the phase and the daily position of the Moon, at the same hour and place, for four days in a row. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Suggested Procedure: First check to see whether it is a morning or evening moon and choose a time to view the moon. Avoid an observation period when there will be a new moon. Choose a time and place you are going to be able to observe the moon each day. On the first day, sketch the relative position of the moon across the southern horizon noting its height and shape (phase). Draw some landmarks on the sketch as points of reference. On the same drawing, repeat this at the same time each day for the next three days, showing the height and shape of the moon for each observation. Note the date and time of your observations next to each sketch of the moon. If the sky is overcast and the moon is not visible, either extend the observations until you can make four of them, and/or using the other observations, predict where the moon would have been and what shape it would have been on the overcast day(s) and indicate that this is due to an overcast sky. 7 Sketch 1: Date:___/___/___ Time:_____ Sketch 3: Date:___/___/___ Time:_____ East South Sketch 2: Date:___/___/___ Time:_____ Sketch 4: Date:___/___/___ Time:_____ West Explain the changes you observe. 8 Site Work Requirements Satisfied: 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, or 8e DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 8a. 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 instruments being used. 4. Celestial objects you observed. 8b. Plan and participate in a three-hour observation session that includes binoculars or a telescope. List the celestial objects you want to observe, and find each on a star chart or in a guidebook. 9 Prepare an observing log or notebook. Show your plan, charts, and log or notebook to your counselor before making your observations. Review your log or notebook with your counselor afterward. 8c. 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. 8d. Help an astronomy club in your community hold a star party that is open to the public. 8e. Personally take a series of photographs or digital images of the movement of the Moon, a planet, an asteroid or meteoroid, 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 a troop meeting. Explain the changes you observed. *Resources: http://www.astropix.com/HTML/I_ASTROP/QUICK.HTM http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography-complete-guide http://mo-www.cfa.harvard.edu/MicroObservatory/ https://skynet.unc.edu/ 10 11