By Stephen Deatherage
This is the fourth story in the series about “The Merit Badge That Changed My Life.” Since 1910, Scouting America has offered hundreds of merit badges—each one a doorway to new skills and life-changing experiences. In 1911, the Astronomy Merit Badge was added to the original list of 14 “Badges of Merit,” bringing the total number of Merit Badges that could be earned to 57 (27 of which, including Astronomy, are still in use). While earning the Astronomy Merit Badge, Scouts learn how activities in space affect celestial bodies, including our own planet. They also learn about the sun, moon, and planets, and how they interact with each other in interesting ways. This month’s story is about Tom Austin, who earned the Astronomy Merit Badge in 1940.
I met Tom in 2023 at the National Scout Jamboree. Tom took a day trip to the Jamboree with a group from the Lake Erie Council, and I was asked to drive him to some program areas. This was Tom’s first Jamboree. When I learned that Tom was an Eagle Scout but not a member of the National Eagle Scout Association, off we went to the NESA tent. After the National Office confirmed that Tom is indeed an Eagle Scout (because he earned Scouting’s highest rank in 1941, Tom’s records had to be looked up on microfiche) we signed him up as a NESA member. He was told by the helpful NESA volunteer, “Congratulations, Tom, you’re the oldest living NESA member.” To which Tom replied, “I can’t be the oldest, I just joined.” “Well,” the volunteer said, “you’re both the oldest and newest NESA member.” Three years later, Tom is still the oldest living NESA member.
Anyway, back to the story. Tom earned the Astronomy Merit Badge in 1940, which inspired a lifetime enthusiasm for astronomy. Although Tom never formally studied astronomy in school, earning this merit badge piqued a strong interest in astronomy—which has been one of his favorite hobbies for over 85 years. He subscribed to Sky & Telescope Magazine (a monthly magazine covering all aspects of amateur and professional astronomy), studied dozens of astronomy books, and spent many nights observing lunar eclipses, meteor showers, and constellations. Like many astronomy enthusiasts, Tom bought a telescope to help him with his celestial observations.
Tom was also able to add to his knowledge of astronomy by visiting astronomy professors at Wellesley College (in Massachusetts) and Case Western Reserve University (in Ohio). And as a member of the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Michigan and, later, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Tom had numerous opportunities for planetarium visits and celestial observations, which he describes as “intensely interesting.”
Eventually, Tom’s eyesight diminished, and he could no longer clearly perceive objects in the night sky. But that didn’t stop him from continuing to enjoy astronomy. Tom says, “I still am able to enjoy audible books and lectures about this fascinating subject.” Tom’s enthusiasm for learning and discovery is a reminder that curiosity can keep us connected to our hobbies and interests, even if we must modify how we enjoy them as we age.