Education
BSA Astronomy Badge Requirements
Because several of the badge requirements are not covered fully in the overnight activities or in the Adler's exhibits & shows, we have provided additional information for you to complete these requirements:
With the aid of diagrams (or real telescopes if available), explain the difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes. Describe the basic purpose of a telescope and list three other instruments used with a telescope.
Choosing a Telescope
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Newtonian Reflector
This is the simplest kind of telescope that uses a mirror. Isaac Newton first designed and built a reflecting telescope of this design in 1672.
A very popular first telescope, these reflectors can be used for a wide range of observing, including some deep sky objects under good conditions.
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Cassegrain Reflector This kind of telescope can be identified by the hole in the primary mirror. Telescopes using this design can be made smaller and more portable.
The portability of these telescopes makes them useful for those who must travel to do their skywatching, and they can be used for lunar, planetary and deep sky observing.
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Refractor Galileo first designed and built a telescope like this in 1609. These telescopes use lenses, rather than mirrors, which can make them more expensive.
Small refractors are best for viewing bright objects like planets and the moon rather than deep sky objects.
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Other things to consider:
- If you plan to do any solar observing, you absolutely need a solar filter, or you will damage your eyes. Get a solar filter that affixes to the front of your telescope, rather than the eyepiece.
- Remember to choose the best telescope for what you are planning on doing, and where you are planning on doing it. A telescope with a large aperture, one with a primary mirror or lens that is large in diameter, is great for observing the sky. However, that telescope won't be very useful near bright city lights, and won't be very useful if it isn't something you can set up when you get away from those city lights!
- Make sure your telescope is mounted on a sturdy tripod or a flat surface.
- Once you get your telescope, use it!
List of other instruments that can be used with a telescope.
You will need to research what these instruments are.
You will need to research what these instruments are.
CCD camera, spectroscope, color filters (or filter wheel), photomultiplier tube,
interferometer, adaptive optics
Go to: skyandtelescope.com. Click on "Observing" (left side of page). Click on "Almanac".
interferometer, adaptive optics
Sketch the face of the Moon indicating the locations of at least five seas and five craters.
This activity can be done before or after attending the Adler Scout Astrovernight. The image to the right shows the locations of several seas (those labeled Mare) and several craters (the craters are immediately to the left of the label). Sketch the image below and label the craters and mare on your diagram.
Name different career opportunities in astronomy. Explain how to prepare for one of them. List the high school courses most useful in beginning such preparation.
Visit the American Astronomical Society's Education Office web page. Once there click on Astronomy Careers. The "A New Universe to Explore, Careers in Astronomy" booklet has all of the information needed to satisfy this requirement.