40th Fife Scout Troop Astronomer Badge

The Sky in August 1999

The Planets

There is nor much to see this month in the way of planets unless you want to stay up into the wee small hours !!!

Mercury can be seen very low in the east by mid month, as it can only be observed a t twilight it is not a very easy subject for a beginner. Remember however to wait until the sun has set before trying to look with binoculars or telescopes.

Mars is your best bet for a look at a planet, as it is visible until quite late on. It is very red and is close to the bright star Spica in Virgo, but be warned, there are two other red stars nearby, a quick look at them with binoculars should help as Mars is a definite disc rather than a pin point of light.

Neptune and Uranus are also about but you would need a very good star chart and a telescope, to even stand a chance at locating them.

Other things to watch for

OK so unless you have been on Mars for the last wee while, you will know that the biggee this month is the Eclipse. If you are lucky enough to be in Cornwall for the event, then I really hate you and wish I were going instead. Seriously though if you are lucky enough to be there make the most of it ‘cos you may never get another chance.

There are many safe ways to observe the eclipse, the best idea is to scan the web, there are loads of astronomy sites and many more dedicated to the eclipse itself. Failing that, go to your local newsagents and see if you can find any astronomy mags, they are always full of good stuff.

BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMEBER DO NOT EVER LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY KIND ON MAGNIFYING INSTRUMENT, BINOS OR TELESCOPES, YOU WILL FRY YOUR EYEBALLS AND BE BLIND!!!!!

BADGE WORK

Apologies now for any thing that may get repeated here, I have decided to get organised a bit better and plan the badge work out more evenly throughout the year.

SUN We will start here, it is the centre of our solar system and the highlight of this month’s astronomy calendar. How big is it?? How old is it?? What is it made of?? Where did it come from?? Find out all you can about how it works and what will happen to it when it finally dies.

Find out what is being done to further our knowledge of the sun, which probes have been sent to investigate.

STARS The summer triangle is made up of three very bright and obvious stars, find out what they are called and which constellations they belong to.

GLOSSARY

Find out what the following terms mean :

Axial rotation Orbit Eclipse Ecliptic Conjunction