
The Scout must complete the following:
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Recognise the prominent constellations visible throughout the year, such
as:
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Winter: Orion, Aries, Auriga, Taurus (Pleiades and Hyades), Canis Major,
Canis Minor.
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Spring: Leo, Bootes.
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Summer: Cygnus, Lyra, Aquila, Delphinus.
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Autumn: Pegasus and the Circumpolar constellations of Ursa Major and
Cassiopeia.
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Recognise and show a basic knowledge of the following stars:
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Winter: Sirius, Procyon, Betelgeuse, Saiph, Rigel, Aldebaran, Hamal,
Capella.
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Summer: Deneb, Vega, Altair.
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Autumn: Merak, Dubhe.
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Talk to the assessor about their experience of astronomy. This should include
sightings of meteor showers, changes of planetary positions and eclipses.
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Know the meanings of basic astronomical terms such as axial rotation, synodic
and sidereal periods, opposition, conjunction, meridian, ecliptic and celestial
equator.
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Give a general description of the Solar System, the individual planets and
the Galaxy.
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Know about landings made or planned on other bodies in the Solar System since
1969 and about human activity in space.
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Explain how astronomy contributes to space missions.