Astronomy Merit Badge Session w/Solar Eclipse Extravaganza

Come out to Cricket Holler for an Astronomy Merit Badge session in conjunction with the Council's Solar Eclipse Extravaganza Event. Scouts or parents that have a telescope or binoculars are encouraged to bring their optics to add to the experience.  Scouts will need to bring a notebook and writing/drawing utensils.  Please, red filtered flashlights only on Sunday evening, to help preserve night vision.  The merit badge will be held during two sessions:

Session 1 - April 7th, 8-10 pm

Location - field in front of K-Lodge @ Cricket Holler Scout Camp

Nighttime observation requirements 4 (a) & (b), 5 (d) & 8 (b)

Session 2 - April 8th, 10am - 5pm

Location - K-Lodge & field @ Cricket Holler Scout Camp

Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4 (c) & (d), 5 (a) & (c), 6 (a), (c), & (d), 7 & 8 (b)

We will complete all requirements other than 8 (b) by 2 pm (with a lunch break) so that participants can move outside to observe the solar eclipse.   

Scouts will need to complete the following three pre-requisite requirements prior to arrival in order to earn the merit badge over the two sessions:

1 - Requirement 5 (b):  Using the Internet (with your parent or guardian's permission) and other resources, find out when each of the five most visible planets that you identified in requirement 5a will be observable in the evening sky during the next 12 months, then compile this information in the form of a chart or table. (hint, the 5 most visible planets are the 5 that are closest to Earth)

2 - Requirement 6 (b): Sketch the phase and position of the Moon, at the same hour and place, for four nights within a one-week period. Include landmarks on the horizon such as hills, trees, and buildings. Explain the changes you observe.

3 - Part of Requirement 8 (b) [the planning portion]: Plan and participate in a three-hour observation session that includes using binoculars or a telescope. List the celestial objects you want to observe, and find each on a star chart or in a guidebook. Prepare a log or notebook. Discuss with your counselor what you hope to observe prior to your observation session. Review your log or notebook with your counselor afterward.*

* Scouts need to review all requirements for the merit badge Sunday night session and determine what celestial objects will be visible from 8-10pm on Sunday night that they want to observe and include in their plan.  The final hour of the 3 hour session will be during the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon.  Scouts will need to present their log/notebook to the Merit Badge counselor at the end of the solar eclipse to finish this requirement.  

Eclipse details/timeline:
-Lodge @ Cricket Holler: 39° 50' 36.56" N  <—>   39.84349°     

3m 05.4s (total solar eclipse) / Obscuration : 100.00%
Event (ΔT=69.1s; alt.=266m) Date Time (EST)

Start of partial eclipse (C1) : 2024/04/08 1:53:35.4

Start of total eclipse (C2) : 2024/04/08 3:09:19.8
Maximum eclipse (MAX) : 2024/04/08 3:10:52.6
End of total eclipse (C3) : 2024/04/08 3:12:25.2
End of partial eclipse (C4) : 2024/04/08 4:25:35.8