Astronomer Badge

Outcomes

This badge allows Cubs to enhance their knowledge of the solar system and constellations.

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Requirements

1. Teach another Cub how to use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper to find Polaris, the North Star.
2. Show how to orient and read a seasonal star map. Be able to find five constellations of your choice.
3. Learn and tell a story related to a constellation or an aboriginal legend regarding the night sky.
4. Know and describe 3 sky features:

• (a) Milky Way
• (b) Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights
• (c) Comets
• (d) Meteors
• (e) Planets
• (f) Stars
• (g) Satellites
• (h) Eclipses

1. Know the phases of the moon and the moon's role in causing ocean tides

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Cross-badge links:

• Black Star A11
• Observer Badge 7
• Green Star B3
• Winter Cubbing Badge 4
• Canadian Camper Award 5

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Program Suggestions and Resources

• Explore the Night Sky - Scouting Life Magazine January/February 2009
• Make Your Stargazing Events Shine - Scouting Life Magazine January/February 2009
• Explore the Night Sky - Links from the above Scouting Life article
• Stellarium - free open source planetarium for your computer Excellent!
• UNCLE AL'S HANDS-ON UNIVERSE STAR WHEELS (Northern Hemisphere) Excellent!
• HowStuffWorks? - What causes high tide and low tide?
• Make a Star Finder (Activity)
• Navigator Software - Identification of stars and planets
• A neat resource from NASA is this link: http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/cubscouts/