Astronomy Merit Badge Resources

 

Are you going on the a troop camping trip, to Philmont or on a Sea Base high adventure Florida Keys, Bahamas, St. Thomas sailing, snorkeling trip and thinking, I'll bet I could do most of the requirements for the Astronomy Merit Badge?  You are RIGHT!  Especially if you will be camping away from city lights, like in the mountains or on an island, like Big Munson Island. Here's what you could get learn about and - possibly - get signed off on the Astronomy Merit Badge, if your counselor is present!

Be sure to get your Blue Card and a counselor assigned BEFORE you leave! Then document completion of anything you do on the trip.  Be prepared to show your counselor photos, if he or she is not there with you, whenever possible, to demonstrate you competency and completion  of requirements.

Note - we are NOT affiliated with BSA or Sea Base, just scouts and scouters trying to help other scouts and scouters!

Astronomy Merit Badge

You can find and print to bring with you,

• Astronomy Merit badge on Scouting.org
• the full, free PDF of the Astronomy Merit Badge pamphlet here.  and
• the Astronomy Merit Badge workbook here.

The requirements below include some you will likely be doing or could do at Sea Base, so that makes it a merit badge to work on at Sea Base.

✅ Astronomy Requirements you can likely complete at Sea Base

Below is a summary and checklist. The highlighted requirements could be done during Sea Base. You can learn the others while there, and if a astronomy merit badge counselor is there, do those, too. See the pamphlet or workbook above for details. Learn, during the trip, about those you must later explain to you counselor.

The captain of your boat may know about many of these things and be willing to explain them to you.   Captains of boats are expected to know how to navigate by the stars!

⚠ Remaining requirements (less likely or need extra work - do before or after Sea Base)

These are usually discussion-based and may need a counselor session, such as any that say explain or describe, BUT you can DO others BEFORE you go, and LEARN enough during Sea Base about these to do them when get home. So, which requirements you can complete will likely depend upon what counselors and are present on your boat or with your group or crew as well as what their background and experience is.  Be sure to document anything you discuss with them and learn from them so that you can clearly explain it to your assigned merit badge counselor when you return

🔭 Astronomy Merit Badge Checklist

Req	Description	Done	Initials
1a	Explain astronomy activity hazards and prevention/response methods
1b	Explain first aid for dehydration, heat/cold injuries, bites, stings, and eye damage
1c	Describe proper clothing and precautions for night and cold-weather observing
1d	Explain safe observation of the Sun, nearby objects, and solar eclipses
2	Explain light pollution and how light and air pollution affect astronomy
3a	Explain importance and use of binoculars and telescopes
3b	Describe types of telescopes, including non-visible spectrum telescopes
3c	Explain purposes of three telescope instruments
3d	Describe proper care and storage of telescopes and binoculars
4a	Identify 10 constellations, including at least four zodiac constellations
4b	Identify eight conspicuous stars, including five magnitude 1 or brighter stars
4c	Sketch Big Dipper or Cassiopeia twice showing orientation changes, North Star, horizon, date, and time
4d	Explain what is seen when observing the Milky Way
5a	List five visible planets and explain planetary phases
5b	Create chart showing visibility of five planets over next 12 months
5c	Describe planetary motion across the sky
5d	Observe a planet and describe observations
6a	Sketch Moon and label five seas and five craters
6b	Sketch Moon phases and positions over four observations and explain changes
6c	List factors that keep the Moon in orbit around Earth
6d	Explain Sun-Earth-Moon positions during phases and eclipses
7a	Describe composition of the Sun and effects on Earth
7b	Define sunspots and describe effects on solar radiation
7c	Identify a red, blue, and yellow star and explain star colors
8a	Visit planetarium or observatory and submit report, scrapbook, or presentation
8b	Plan and participate in observation session using binoculars or telescope
8c	Plan and host a star party using binoculars or telescope
8d	Assist astronomy club with public star party
8e	Take and present series of labeled astronomical photographs/images
8f	Use online observing tools such as SkyNet and discuss experience
9a	Research astronomy-related career opportunities and requirements
9b	Research astronomy as a hobby and discuss goals and opportunities