Astronomy merit badge requirement

[papabear]

Requirement 5 and 6 deal with the planets. In requirement 5 the Scouts are asked to name the five visible planets and create a chart showing when the planets are visible. In requirement 6, the Scouts are asked to sketch the position of Venus, Mars or Juipiter. But not Mercury or Saturn. I can understand why the Scouts are not asked to sketch Mercury, but can anyone explain why Saturn is excluded?

[Quailman]

Perhaps because it's not visible most of the time, and when it is, you need a telescope and/or a good chart to make sure you are looking at it. Mars, Venus and Jupiter are generally the brightest objects when they are visible, and after a little practice, someone working on this badge should be able to locate them.

I seem to recall reading that the orientation of Saturn relative to Earth is entering a phase during which the rings wil not be visible due to our point of view being in the same plane. That means even with a telescope it may just look like another star, tha is, a bright point of light.

[papabear]

When the rings of Saturn are visible, it is a awesome sight. Not one to be missed and for the period of time the rings are visible I would highly recommend the boys view it. It is easier to locate than the other planets, very distinct. It seems ironic that the symbol on the merit badge is Saturn but it is omitted from the requirements.

[Quailman]

It is cloudy in SE Texas this evening, but last night I could see Mars clearly in the constellation Gemini. It would be a great one to sketch the position of if someone is starting this rtight now. I could see Jupiter in Sagittarius as well, but it was about to set. I don't know if it would still be visible in four weeks.

At approximately weekly intervals, sketch the position of Venus, Mars or Jupiter in relation to the stars. Do this for at least four weeks and at the same time of night. On your sketch, record the date and time next to the planet's position. Use your sketch to explain how planets move.

[riverwalk]

Although Saturn was visible for much of the last year or so, I agree the listed ones are regular features out there.

Just to peak their interest (I hope), teach them how to watch the schedules for sightings of the Space Station and any Shuttle activity. And on camp-outs, they might luck out and see satellites.

When watching Jupiter (to sketch movement), they might as well show the position of the four largest moons. Small telescopes are helpful, and binoculars work if one can brace themselves against stationary objects, otherwise our slightest movement distorts the image.