Scouting at the New Jersey Astronomical Association

Explore the Night Sky with NJAA

Our Scouting Liaison is Tim Benko
scouting@njaa.org

The New Jersey Astronomical Association welcomes Scout troops and their
leaders to experience astronomy at a working astronomical observatory.
 

Our members can provide access to telescopes, explain astronomical concepts, identify objects in the night sky, demonstrate observing techniques, and answer questions from Scouts and leaders. Whether your troop is working toward the Astronomy Merit Badge or simply exploring astronomy, we want your visit to be educational, memorable, and inspiring.
 

NJAA serves as a host and educational resource. We do not replace the Scout's merit badge counselor or troop leadership, nor do we certify completion of merit badge requirements. Scouts should work with their designated counselor to determine which activities and observations satisfy their individual requirements.
 

Planning Your Observatory Visit

Before scheduling your visit, consider:

• Sunset — The official time the Sun drops below the horizon.

• Civil Twilight — The sky is beginning to darken, but it is generally still too bright for serious astronomical observing.

• Nautical Twilight — More stars become visible and observing conditions continue to improve.

• Astronomical Twilight — The final stage of twilight.

• Astronomical Darkness — The Sun is at least 18° below the horizon. This is generally when the sky reaches full natural darkness.

• Moonrise and Moonset — A bright Moon can dramatically affect which objects are visible.

• Moon Phase — A bright Moon may interfere with faint galaxies and nebulae, but the Moon itself can be an outstanding observing target.

• Planet Visibility — Not every planet is visible every night. Their positions and observing times change throughout the year.

• Seasonal Sky — Constellations and deep-sky objects visible in winter can be very different from those visible in summer.

• Weather and Cloud Cover — Astronomy is entirely dependent upon observing conditions.
   

• Weather and Observing Conditions

• Astronomy is weather dependent.
  Clear skies cannot be guaranteed, even when conditions looked favorable earlier in the day. Clouds, haze, humidity, smoke, precipitation, wind, and other conditions may prevent or limit telescope observing.

• A cloudy night, however, does not necessarily mean a cancelled astronomy experience. When appropriate, NJAA can host Scouts indoors, introduce them to the observatory and its equipment, discuss astronomy concepts, and answer questions from Scouts and their leaders.

• Be advised that NJAA cannot guarantee that a particular celestial object will be observable during a scheduled visit.

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• How NJAA Can Support Astronomy Merit Badge Activities

• Depending upon the date, weather, available equipment, and NJAA volunteers,
  we may be able to assist Scouts with:

• ☐ Telescope and binocular demonstrations
  ☐ Refracting and reflecting telescope designs
  ☐ Telescope eyepieces and astronomical instruments
  ☐ Safe telescope handling and care
  ☐ Identifying constellations
  ☐ Identifying bright stars
  ☐ Finding the North Star
  ☐ Observing the Moon
  ☐ Identifying lunar features
  ☐ Observing planets
  ☐ Understanding planetary motion
  ☐ Star colors and stellar temperatures
  ☐ The Milky Way
  ☐ Light pollution and its effect on astronomy
  ☐ Solar observing and solar safety when appropriate
  ☐ Astronomy careers
  ☐ Questions about professional and amateur astronomy
  ☐ Tour of the observatory and its astronomical equipment

 

• What to Bring

• Astronomy Merit Badge Workbook, if applicable

• Notebook and pencil

• Questions for NJAA astronomers

• Appropriate clothing for the season

• Closed-toe shoes

• Jacket or additional layers—even warm days can become cool at night

• Flashlight, preferably with a red-light mode

• Binoculars, if available

• Personal telescope, if the troop would like assistance learning how to use it

• Insect repellent when appropriate

• I would add:

• Please avoid bright white flashlights and unnecessary phone screens while observing. White light temporarily destroys night vision and affects everyone on the observing field.

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• Solar Observing — An Important Safety Message

• Never Look Directly at the Sun

• Never look at the Sun through a telescope, binoculars, finder scope, camera, or other optical instrument unless it has been specifically equipped with an appropriate solar observing system.

• During NJAA-supervised solar observing activities, Scouts should follow the instructions of NJAA personnel operating the equipment.
   

• Scout Leaders & Merit Badge Counselors

• NJAA's role is to support you.

• Scout leaders and merit badge counselors remain responsible for their Scouts and for determining completion of merit badge requirements. NJAA members are there to provide astronomical knowledge, equipment, demonstrations, observing opportunities, and answers to questions.

• Before your visit, we encourage leaders or counselors to tell our NJAA Scout Liaison what the troop hopes to accomplish. This allows us to prepare appropriate equipment, identify potential observing targets, and coordinate knowledgeable NJAA members whenever possible.
   

• What We Expect From Visiting Troops

• To help us provide a safe and enjoyable experience, we ask Scout leaders to:

• Remain responsible for supervision of their Scouts throughout the visit.

• Provide adequate adult leadership in accordance with their organization's policies.

• Review appropriate observatory behavior with Scouts before arrival.

• Keep Scouts together during tours and observing activities.

• Follow instructions from NJAA telescope operators around astronomical equipment.

• Avoid touching telescopes, eyepieces, computers, or other equipment unless invited to do so.

• Help preserve everyone's night vision by limiting white lights.

• Inform NJAA in advance about accessibility needs or other accommodations relevant to the visit.
  
  Helpful LINKS
  
  Merit Badge Series - Astronomy Pamphlet
   

Astronomy Merit Badge Workbook