Astronomy
- Astronomy Merit Badge Requirements
Boy Scouts of America®
Note: Requirements 6, 7B and 9A/C/D/E (if chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
- American Astronomical Society (AAS)
The major professional association for astronomers in North America; career information is offered.
- The Astronomical League
A federation of amateur astronomers. Find a local astronomy club.
- Google Sky
Displays astronomical imagery.
- Astronomy and Space Tools
Many Web-based and downloadable (Windows) tools by John Walker, co-author of AutoCAD. Features free home planetarium software (Home Planet) and a free skymap screensaver (Sky). To use many astronomy programs, you will need to know the latitude and longitude of your location. Coordinates can be found for a given street address at MyGeoPosition.com. To see what the skies over Yawgoog look like, you can use the coordinates of Tim O'Neil Field:
- Latitude: 41 deg 31 min 12 sec North (41 deg 31.200 min)
- Longitude: 71 deg 46 min 35 sec West (71 deg 46.580 min)
Note: Before downloading any software from the Internet, please make sure your computer's antivirus software is up-to-date.
- Other Free Home Planetarium Software
- Celestia (Mac, Windows - Chris Laurel)
- Stellarium (Mac, Windows - Fabien Chéreau)
- WinStars (Windows - Franck Richard)
- More choices, including web-based options, are listed in The Eight Planets site (see below).
Note: Before downloading any software from the Internet, please make sure your computer's antivirus software is up-to-date.
- Cormack Planetarium
At the Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park, Providence, Rhode Island.
- Earthsky Tonight
Daily preview of what will be visible in the sky tonight.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Space agency of the USA.
- The Eight Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System
A thorough description of the planets with many images. Created by Bill Arnett of the University of Arizona.
- Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
This scientific research project collects data from radiotelescopes, searching for artificial signals. You can download the screensaver (Windows/Macintosh) and let your computer process the signals. Processed results are then uploaded back to the SETI project. (University of California - Berkeley)
Note: Before downloading any software from the Internet, please make sure your computer's antivirus software is up-to-date.
- Sky & Telescope
A magazine for amateur astronomers that offers a wealth of information on its Web site.
- US Naval Observatory: Astronomical Applications Department
Offers almanacs of sunrise/sunset times, moonrise/moonset times, moon phases, eclipses, and more.
- Views of the Solar System
Another fact- and image-filled discussion of the solar system by Calvin J. Hamilton.
- Information on Light Pollution
- Telescope Types
Information from the Highlands Astronomical Society (HAS), Scotland.
- Celestron
Commercial manufacturer of telescopes, binoculars and other optical equipment.
Fish and Wildlife Management
- Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge Requirements
Boy Scouts of America®
Note: Requirements 5A, 5B, 6C and 7D (if these options are chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
- Birding Resources
(see Bird Study)
- Mammal Resources
(see Mammal Study)
- Reptile / Amphibian Resources
(see Reptile and Amphibian Study)
- American Fisheries Society (AFS)
A professional association that seeks to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems.
- Aquarium Resources
Tips on creating and maintaining an aquarium.
- State Fish and Wildlife Agencies / Endangered Species Programs
- Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA)
An organization of public agencies charged with the protection and management of North America's fish and wildlife resources.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
A non-political, non-profit organization that protects endangered ecosystems and endangered species. Has local chapters across the USA. Owns and manages part of the Long and Ell Ponds area.
- US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)
A federal agency primarily concerned with fish and game.
- The Wildlife Society
A professional association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education.
- Google Search Engine (opens new window)
Google is probably the most popular search engine. Use it to search for the keywords mentioned in the requirements.
Geology
- Geology Merit Badge Requirements
Boy Scouts of America®
Note: Requirements 4A, 5B5B, 5C5A, 5C5C, and 5D5A (if these options are chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
- Geological Society of America (GSA)
A professional society that promotes the geosciences; career information is offered.
- American Planning Association (APA)
A professional society of land use planners. Offers career information.
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
A professional association for the field of civil engineering. Offers career information.
- US Geological Survey (USGS)
A federal agency that provides many services related to the earth sciences.
- EarthCache
An Earthcache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. Earthcaches include a set of educational notes and the details about where to find the location (latitude and longitude).
- Environmental Government Agencies
Directory of environmental agencies at the state, provincial and national levels in the USA and Canada; includes geological survey offices.
- Surface and Sedimentary Processes Resources
- Topographic Map of Yawgoog Area
(The Story of the Yawgoog Trails)
- Topographic Map: Voluntown Quadrangle
The entire 1:24,000-scale quadrangle, which includes the Yawgoog area, can be downloaded. Image editing software can be used to crop and print the map. The map is a zipped TIF file.
(Rhode Island Geographic Information System - RIGIS)
- Microsoft Research Maps
Free topographic maps and aerial photographs of any location in the USA, in various scales and sizes.
- Energy Resources
- US Department of Energy (DOE) - Office of Fossil Energy
Oversees the exploration for and use of coal, oil and natural gas.
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
A trade association that represents the oil and natural gas industry.
- Petroleum Glossary
Short plain-English descriptions of terms used in the petroleum industry. Maintained by Cooper Energy, Australia.
- American Coal Foundation (ACF)
A trade-sponsored, non-profit organization that offers educational information about the coal industry.
- Mineral Resources
- Rocks For Kids
Information about rocks and minerals by Elfi and Nick Berndl of GMB Services, Ontario, Canada.
- American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS)
An association of mineral and rock collecting clubs. Through the links to its regional affiliates, you can find contact information for clubs in your area. These clubs can help you locate and identify mineral and rock specimens for your collection.
- Apple Valley Minerals, Ltd.
Mr. Sal Avella, Proprietor
7 Homestead Ave
Smithfield RI 02917-3206
Telephone: 401-231-0602
(No Web site or e-mail address.)
A local shop that sells mineral and rock samples and may help you identify specimens you find on your own.
The Mineralogical Record has a biographical sketch of Mr. Avella.
- Rhode Island Mineral Hunters (RIMH)
A non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and study of minerals, crystals, fossils, and all aspects of the Earth Sciences. The club has monthly meetings.
- Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)
Maintains state highways in Rhode Island.
- Highway departments in other states
A directory maintained by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
- National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)
A trade association.
- BeyondRoads.com
More information about asphalt from the Asphalt Education Partnership (AEP), a trade-sponsored organization.
- Cement & Concrete Basics
Information from the Portland Cement Association (PCA), a trade group and political action committee.
- Earth History Resources
Next: Kelley Environmental Education Center - Part II
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