Cub Scout Astronomer Badge
What to do next…
There’s still some things to do before you gain your Astronomer badge.
These sheets should help you work out what you’ve done and what you still need to do.
To gain your Cub Scout Astronomer badge you must complete the following:
1- Make a model or draw a simple diagram of the solar system.
2- Explain the difference between a planet and a star.
3- Identify three constellations.
4- Find out about and present some information on two of the following: Planets,
Comets, the Northern Lights, The Sun, Eclipses, Meteorites, Black Holes, The Moon,
Light years, Space Exploration or any other space related subject.
5- Observe the Moon, if possible using binoculars or a telescope. Describe some of its
features.
6- Know how to locate and identify the Pole Star. Know how explorers used it to
navigate and plot courses.
Activity 1 - Make a model or draw a simple diagram of the Solar System
You will have: Been introduced to the Solar System in our planetarium. You will
have found out some facts about Mars and Saturn in the quizzes and noticed the differences
between the small rocky planets and the larger gas giants.
You will need to: Make a model or simple diagram of the
solar system. You can make this with your cub pack, where
each one of you stands in the position of a planet.
Activity 2 - Explain the difference between a
planet and a star
You will have: Visited our planetarium and found
out that stars make their own light, whilst the planets and
moons in our solar system reflect the light of our Sun. You will
have found that although the planets sometimes appear brighter than the stars this is
because the planets are very, very much closer than even the nearest star.
You will need to: Explain this to your assessor.
Activity 3 – Identify three constellations
You will have: In our planetarium you will have been introduced to the
constellation of The Great Bear (where you can find the Plough), the Little Bear
and Cassiopeia (the Queen). You will have made some constellation pictures
as well.
You will need to: See if you can identify three of them for
your assessor.
Activity 4 - Find out about and present some information on two of the following:
Planets, Comets, the Northern Lights, The Sun, Eclipses, Meteorites, Black Holes, The
Moon, Light years, Space Exploration or any other space related subject.
You will have: Been introduced to the Sun and planets, the phases of the moon and
other topics in our planetarium. You will have learnt some facts about Mars and Saturn on
the quiz.
You will need to: Talk about two of these topics with your assessor or present
your information to the rest of your Cub Scout pack. You might like to choose a different
astronomical topic if you are more interested in something else.
Tips for presenting your information: If you are presenting to your
fellow cubs don’t say too much. It is better to keep it simple rather than over complicated.
Try not to use complicated names and words and explain what they mean if you do use
them.
Know the topic well and tell it in your own words rather than reading something out. It
feels more natural and you can look at your audience, rather than the page.
Having props or pictures can help you, but you don’t need to have them to help present
your information - Enjoy yourself and have fun!
Activity 5 - Observe the Moon, if possible using
binoculars or a telescope. Describe some of its features.
You will have: Been introduced to the Moon in our
planetarium. You should know that the moon doesn’t make its
own light, but reflects the light of our Sun. This gives the
Moons phases. You have made a flick book to show the moons
phases.
You will need to: Observe the moon in the night sky.
Tips for looking at the moon: A full Moon is very bright, so often it is better
to observe the moon when it is at half or crescent phase. The line between day-time and
night-time on the moon is called the terminator. This is a good place to look as the detail of
the craters and the mountains is clearer. If you use binoculars, resting your arms on a low
wall or use a tripod will help keep them steady.
Activity 6 - Know how to locate and identify the Pole Star (North Star). Know
how explorers used it to navigate and plot courses.
You will have: Found out that the North Star (Polaris) is an ordinary star in an
interesting position. By using two stars at the end of the Plough (opposite the handle!) as
pointers, you can find the North Star. Because it is almost directly above the North Pole it
remains in the same place as the other stars all appear to move around it through the night.
The nearest horizon to the North star is North, sailors and other travellers used this star to
navigate. They could tell their latitude by working out how high Polaris was in the sky. You
will have found the North Star on the star map and in the planetarium.
You will need to: Explain this to your assessor.