things to know and doproper distance from the sun according to scale. if you use 1”=93 million...

DISCOVERING GOD’S GIFT OF NATURE

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THE SKY ABOVE“God said, ‘Let there be lights in the huge space of the sky. Let them separate the day from the night. Let them serve as signs to mark off the seasons and the days and the years. Let them serve as lights in the huge space of the sky to give light on the earth.’ And that’s exactly what happened.” Genesis 1:14-15 (NIrV)

For thousands of years humans have studied the movements of the heavens, using stars and planets as guides to help them find their way and chart the passing of days, seasons, and years.

There are hundreds of billions of galaxies of various shapes and sizes in our universe. It is so vast, its exact limits are unknown. The earth, our sun, and solar system are part of a galaxy called the Milky Way, a flat spherical galaxy that rotates like a whirlpool. Our solar system consists of the sun, which is a star, eight planets, and thousands of smaller bodies called asteroids. There are millions of solar systems in the Milky Way galaxy.

This activity will help you to learn about the sky above.

THINGS TO KNOW AND DOComplete the Tasks, plus the number of tasks listed in each section.

There are eight planets in our solar system. Make a diagram or model placing the planets in order and at a proper distance from the sun according to scale. If you use 1”=93 million miles, the scale would be:

Task 1Complete the following task.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ GIRL GUARDS

Even though planets look like stars, they DO NOT give off light. They merely REFLECT the light of the sun. Go outdoors in the early morning or at night. Locate at least one planet in the sky.

TO EARN THIS EMBLEM COMPLETETASK

1, 2, 3, AND 4

PLUS

2 MIND MATTERS CHOICE TASKS

1 BODY BASICS CHOICE TASK

1 SOUL QUEST CHOICE TASK

1 OTHERS CHOICE TASK

PLANETS AVERAGE MILES FROM THE SUN DISTANCE TO SCALE

Mercury 36 million 6/16”

Venus 67 million 11/16”

Earth 93 million 1“

Mars 142 million 1 8/16”

Jupiter 483 million 5 2/16”

Saturn 888 million 9 8/16”

Uranus 1,786 million 19 2/16”

Neptune 2,799 million 30“

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Mind MattersComplete at least TWO of the following tasks.


1. MAKE A PLANETARIUM FOR YOUR TROOP.

You may do this alone or work with others to make this a group project. Make at least eight constellations to display on the wall or a ceiling. Be sure to place the constellations in the order they would appear in the sky.

Here are some of the ways you can do this:

• Paste star stickers on large pieces of construction paper.

A constellation is a group of stars that has been given a name because it appears to form a picture. Many constellations received their names from the ancient Greeks, who named them after characters from Greek mythology, such as Orion, Hercules, and Andromeda. Go outdoors on a clear night and use a guidebook, star charts, or a free phone app, such as “Google Sky Map” to find your way around the sky. Be able to recognize and find at least eight different constellations.

The constellations I learned and recognize are:



Visit a planetarium, observatory, or museum, attend a lecture, or watch a YouTube video about the stars. Ask your leader to invite a qualified person to talk to your group about the sky above including the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the space program.



Have you ever noticed that the moon appears to change its shape? This is due to the way the moon reflects the sun’s light as the moon changes positions every month. The moon gives off no light of its own; it only reflects the sun’s light. So when the moon is between the earth and sun, we cannot see it because its bright side is facing the sun and we only see the dark side. This is called a new moon. Seven to eight days later, the moon moves around to the side of the earth so that we only see about half of it. This is called a half moon, but technically it is



the quarter moon because the moon has gone through the first of its four phases. When the earth is between the moon and sun, we see the whole bright side or full moon. When it reaches the last quarter, half of the moon is visible again but this is the opposite side of the moon than the part seen at the beginning of the month.

To understand the phases of the moon better, do the following experiment:

• Use a flashlight or light bulb to represent the sun.

• Use a large ball as the earth and a smaller one as the moon.

• Leave the sun stationary.

• Have the moon orbit the earth. Observe the following:

THE PHASES OF THE MOON New moon, quarter, full, gibbous, crescent (see diagrams)

AN ECLIPSE OF THE SUN Pass the moon between the earth and sun

AN ECLIPSE OF THE MOON Pass the moon through the earth’s shadow

NOTE: The orbit of the moon is tilted at a slightly different angle from that of the earth, so they do not pass through each other’s shadow every time around.


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• Draw the constellation on the bottom of an oatmeal box. Make a pinhole where each star is located. Shine a flashlight through the box to project the constellation onto the ceiling of a dark room.

• Use glow-in-the-dark plastic stars and arrange them into the shapes of constellations.

2. WORK WITH OTHER GIRLS IN YOUR TROOP TO MAKE A SET OF THE SKY ABOVE TRADING CARDS.

Collect at least twelve different cards in your set. Each girl makes a different card to duplicate and trade with the others. On the front side of each card, draw or glue a picture of an object found

in our solar system, such as: the sun, Earth, moon, Mars, asteroids, etc. The back of each card should include important facts and features about that particular object. Look in the Bible or a Bible concordance to see if there is a verse you can add to the card.

To find an example of the kind of information to include on your card, log on to http://amazing- space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/trading/ and collect virtual trading cards.

3. LEARN ABOUT A WOMAN WHO MADE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF ASTRONOMY.

Write a report, make a PowerPoint or YouTube video or think of another creative way to let others know about the difference this woman made.

PHASES OF THE MOON

HOW THE PHASES LOOK TO US

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Log on to www.astrosociety.org/education/astronomy-resource-guides/women-in-astronomy-an-introductory-resource-guide/ to find a list of suggestions and resources.

4. VISIT A LIBRARY AND LOOK THROUGH SOME BOOKS OR MAGAZINES ABOUT ASTRONOMY, OR GO ONLINE.

Find pictures of a solar and a lunar eclipse. Be able to describe or sketch each one and tell how they differ.

5. READ A BOOK, MAGAZINE OR E-ZINE ARTICLE, THEN MAKE A PRESENTATION TO YOUR TROOP ABOUT SOME PART OF ASTRONOMY THAT INTERESTS YOU.

6. THE HUMAN EYE WORKS IN A MARVELOUS WAY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SEE LIGHT FROM GALAXIES MILLIONS OF LIGHT YEARS AWAY.

Yet even the largest galaxies appear as tiny points of light. Telescopes magnify those points of light and help you to explore beyond what the human eye can see. That is why a telescope is basic equipment for exploring the sky above.

Learn how a telescope works to help you see into space. Use a telescope to identify and observe each of the following:

• At least two planets

• Craters of the moon

• North Star

• Orion’s Belt

Log on to www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/20937803 to learn how telescopes let you look into the sky above.

Body BasicsComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


1. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN WITH YOUR EYES OR A TELESCOPE, EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING SUNGLASSES.

If there is an awesome solar event you do not want to miss, make a pinhole camera. Log on to www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/index.cfm?page=341 or www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html for ideas and easy to follow directions.

2. SOLAR RETINOPATHY IS A TYPE OF EYE DAMAGE THAT AFFECTS YOUR CENTRAL VISION.

Log on to http://astronomyonline.org/solarsystem/solarsafety.asp to learn about this condition.

Learn what causes this condition, treatments available (if any), and what precautions to take to avoid it. Use the information you find to make a safety poster to share with others in your troop.


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1. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME, MANKIND HAS WATCHED THE SKIES, PLOTTING DIRECTION AND COUNTING TIME BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE STARS.

One place you can see evidence of this is in a song that American slaves sang to provide clues to those seeking freedom via the underground railway, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.”

Which nighttime sign do you think was symbolized as a drinking gourd? Log on to www.northern-stars.com/Follow_theDrinking_Gourd.pdf and learn if you are correct.

OthersComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


If you enjoyed this activity, find out how to put it to work. Talk to your school counselor about career opportunities that would allow you to use your new skills. What can you do now to help you prepare for a related job in the future?

Here are several careers related to this emblem. There are many others.

• Astronomer

• Computer programmer

• Science or physics teacher

Looking Ahead

Soul QuestComplete the following task.


Develop a multimedia presentation based on Psalm 104. Use several slides to illustrate the verses of the Psalm as follows:

VERSES

1-4 The greatness of God

5-9 Land and sea

10-13 The gift of water

14-18 Food and a home for man and animals

19-23 Day and night

24-26 Sea life

27-30 God provides

31-33 Praise the Lord!

This presentation may be developed using a combination of purchased graphics and/or your own photos. Be sure to include pictures of the sky above.

Use a narrator to read the Psalm as the presentation is shown. Background music may be used as long as it does not distract from the Scripture. Show the presentation at a Youth Sunday service, Mother and Daughter Tea, or other special occasion.

Read about the history of this song and then do one of the following:

Learn the song, “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and play or sing it for your group.

– OR –Complete the activity pages that are part of the resources found on that site.

2. DO YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEE STARS WHERE YOU LIVE?

Air and light pollution can affect your ability to view the heavens. Go to the library or online to learn about these problems. Then start a campaign to educate others about the issue. Contact your local government representatives to let them know about your concerns.

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If you are working on the Catherine Booth Award, take photos to share with the Review Committee.

1. IMAGINE THAT YOU LIVE DURING A TIME WHEN MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE THE EARTH IS FLAT.

There are no planes to take you soaring around the world, but you can go outside and use your eyes to explore the sky above. How would you convince others that the earth is not the center of the universe, but actually revolves around the sun? Use your observation skills to gather proof to support your views and prepare arguments to prove your point.

Ask your leader, parent or a friend to pretend to believe the world is the center of everything and you dare not be too adventurous or you might fall over the edge. Try out your arguments.

Are your arguments convincing? Why or why not?

2. SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE ONE QUARTER/SEMESTER OF A HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE COURSE THAT FOCUSES ON OR INCLUDES ASTRONOMY.

Show your leader your report card or a summary note from the instructor.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Project(s)Complete ONE of the following projects.


AppGet the free NASA App for your iPad or smart phone. Huge collection of pictures, videos, sighting opportunities and much more, www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/iphone/index.html#.UmAUV1PSkms

WebsitesThis interactive game will help you identify facts about planets and other things in the sky above.www.timeforkids.com/homework-helper/study-helper/space

Additional Resources

Cranbrook Institute of Science Astronomy Resourceshttp://science.cranbrook.edu/explore-institute/acheson-planetarium/astronomy-resources

4-H Science Toolkit Series: Astronomy 1http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/Documents/About/Program%20Themes/SET/4-H%20Science%20Toolkit/Astronomy%201.pdf

Enter your zip code, date and time and it will give you can view a current sky map for that area.www.starrynighteducation.com/skychart/

Dipper Clock: A fun and free resource you can print and use to predict the orientation of the Big Dipper. www.starrynighteducation.com/images/free_resources/BigDipperActivity.pdf

The Sky Above on Pinterestwww.pinterest.com/sagirlguards/sky-above/

BookA Field Guide to Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guides) by Jay M. Pasachoff


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MY TASKS AND ACTIVITIES:

THE SKY ABOVE

Soul QuestSignature: Date Completed:

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Project(s)Signature: Date Completed:

OthersSignature: Date Completed:

Signature: Date Completed:

Body Basics

Mind MattersChoice Task 1


Choice Task 2


My Name:

Date:

COMPLETED

MY NOTES:

MY BIG IDEAS:

I WONDER:

Task 1Signature: Date Completed:


