Re: Solar guidelines in Boy Scout Astronomy merit badge

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:26:05 -0500, Glenn Holliday <holliday@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

>I'm talking with a local Boy Scout leader about counselling
>the Astronomy merit badge. Reading their book on the topic,
>I was surprised to find that the Scouts teach not to use a
>telescope for solar observing, because filters aren't safe
>and you can't eliminate the risk of accidentally seeing
>the sun naked eye.
>
>I know some of you have worked with Boy Scout troops.
>I see there is a process for suggesting corrections
>to the merit badge book. Has anybody already discussed
>this issue with the national organization? Already had
>a ruling on a proposal to teach safe solar viewing?

Realistically, solar observing _is_ risky. Even with proper equipment,
the slightest error in procedure can be very dangerous. Solar observing
is probably not something that should be done without responsible adults
present. Of course, there is no reason that Boy Scouts couldn't be
introduced to solar observing, but my guess is that the BSA would be
reluctant for liability reasons to include much in the way of solar
viewing in the Astronomy merit badge requirements.

If you are interested in effecting a change, I'd suggest limiting solar
observing to indirect methods only- pinhole or other projection systems.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
.

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