Here's what we covered last time (week 3):

- The Earth rotates and revolves around the sun. The apparent motion of the sun, moon and stars each day is due primarily to rotation. If you look north at night, you will see the stars slowly rotate around the axis of the Earth's rotation (which is the point of requirement 4c, which was your homework last week).

- Our revolution around the sun causes the stars to be shifted a little each night, so we see different parts of the universe at different times of the year.

To reiterate what we covered Tuesday, we learned how to find 10 constellations
and 8 bright star names:

Orion (hunter) - easily find by 3 belt stars. Includes the stars
   - Betelgeuse (left shoulder) - bright red star
   - Bellatrix (right shoulder)
   - Rigel (right knee)
Canis Major (big dog) - following Orion, Includes the star
   - Sirius (brightest star in the sky - called the dog star)

Astronomy Merit Badge Information

This short booklet contains all the information to date to complete the Astronomy Merit Badge.

Each boy should have a copy of the Astronomy Merit Badge workbook. If not, there is a copy attached here that you can print out.

In order to complete the merit badge you must fill in the worksheet to show you meet the requirements.

We covered most of the material in our merit badge roundup sessions. These pages offer a summary of that information, to assist you in completing the requirements.

Here's what we did week 1:

- It gets cold at night, and observing is not a physically strenuous activity, so you need to dress more warmly than you think!

- You should have snacks and drinks when observing. Stay hydrated.

- Keep a first aid kit handy. Use insect repellant when necessary.

This event has been postponed until fuirther notice. Please check back for updates.

Astronomy Links