Out of this World

This module is designed to help the Cub Scout discover the wonders of space exploration.

Note

General Information about this activity:

  • When?: 04/05 at 06:30pm

  • Instructor: George Hassel

  • E-Mail address: ghassel@siena.edu

  • Pre-reqs submission: google form

  • Zoom link for activity: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88216954674

  • Bio-sketch: George is an instructor of Physics and Astronomy at Siena College and enjoys outreach events with the Breyo Observatory. He is the Webelos Den Leader for Pack 1701 in Latham, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1995 in Valley Forge Council (PA).

Pre-requisites

What is a pre-requisite? It is an activity you should complete before the meeting! Here is a list of pre-requisites you should do to complete this Award. If you do not have time to complete it before the day of the activity, do not despair! You can always send your work later to your instructor at the address listed above!

  1. Requirement #1. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about the planets, space, space exploration, NASA, or astronomy. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

    Note

    Here are some examples of appropriate videos:

Warning

Pre-req submissions

Finally, have your cub scouts ENTER their pre work in this `form < https://forms.gle/yPmg4Zv1mAwDY9Pf7>`__ before April 5th to allow us to create a truly interactive and personalized learning experience. If you are late that is OK, please still fill it out up to our scheduled class. Feel free to contact the instructor (See email in blue box at the top of this page).

What will we do during the meeting?

  1. We’ll talk about how to focus, make a diagram of the solar system, and draw some constellations. We will use a planetarium software to then try to find them.

    Note

    If you want to practice with something ahead of time, https://stellarium-web.org/. and http://skymaps.com/. are free

  2. We will talk about Revolution, Orbit, Rotation and eclipses. Please bring a flashlight and some different sized balls to the online meeting.

  3. We’ll do a presentation of the observatory and some of the research that is done there.

Alternative text

Prof. Hassel pointing his telescope safely to project an image of the Sun. As a rule: never point a telescope or binoculars directly toward the Sun! In fact, if you watch the Sun, never do this without protective gear!