Space Exploration

Composition of stars

Hydrogen (most abundant) and helium (2nd most abundant) make up the majority, with trace amounts of heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Parallax +Triangulation ( this prompts a problem)

is the apparent shift in position of an object against a distant background when viewed from different angles. It is used in astronomy to measure distances to nearby stars.

Azimuth

is the angle between the projected vector of an object and the North direction, measured clockwise. In astronomy, it helps to locate celestial objects in the sky.

zenith

is the point in the sky directly above an observer. It represents the highest point reached by a celestial object in its path.

altitiude

is the angle between an object and the observer's horizon, measured perpendicular to the horizon. In astronomy, it helps to determine the position of celestial objects.

Dangers of living in space

include exposure to radiation, microgravity effects on the body, and potential psychological challenges due to isolation and confinement, the vision is also affected bc the shape of your eye changes from football to soccer ball.

spectroscopy

is the study of the interaction between light and matter, used to analyze the composition of celestial objects by observing their emitted or absorbed light. using it on celestial objects produces spectral lines that can reveal information about their temperature, chemical composition, and velocity.

Doppler effect with stars (redshift, blueshift) explain the relationship of light to movement of star.

is a phenomenon observed in astronomy where the wavelength of light from a star changes due to its motion relative to the observer. If a star is moving away, its light is redshifted; if it is moving closer, it is blueshifted.

Shuttle

is a reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit, notably used in NASA's Space Shuttle program from 1981 to 2011. The shuttle consisted of an orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and an external tank, enabling multiple missions including satellite deployment and construction of the International Space Station. Transport personnel and equipment to space and to orbiting spacecrafts using the technology

of rocketry. They are designed to re-enter Earth, bringing astronauts back.

Probe

is an unmanned spacecraft designed to explore outer space and gather data about celestial bodies, atmospheres, and cosmic phenomena. Probes can travel to planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, providing valuable information about our solar system and beyond. Unmanned devices sent to planets or other celestial objects to make observations and

collect data.

satellite

("Artificial Satellites”) Objects using electronic equipment, digital imaging apparatus, and

other instrumentation, that are built by humans and sent into either low-Earth orbit or

geosynchronous orbit.

Canadian contributions to space

Dexter, James Webb (only a little bit), Canadarm 1 and 2, astronauts

Spacesuit requirements + benefits (knowing the parts of a spacesuit)

Pressurized atmosphere: The suit must be pressurized as there is no atmosphere in space to provide the air pressure our bodies need. Without this pressure, our body fluids would begin to bubble.

2. Provide oxygen: Space suits must have an oxygen supply, either a tank, or a supply through a cord coming from a shuttle or space station

3. Regulating temperature: To cope with the extremes of space, space suits are heavily insulated with layers of fabric and covered with reflective outer layers. The side of an astronaut that is facing the sun would reach temperatures of +120oC while the side facing away from the sun would reach temperatures of -100oC. Therefore, heating and cooling systems are both needed in a space suit.

4. Protecting from radiation: The space suit must be able to provide some protection from UV radiation from the sun. The helmets have a tinted “window” in the front that blocks some of this UV radiation. Without this protection, astronauts would almost immediately go blind.

5. Flexibility: The suit must be flexible enough to allow the astronaut to grasp a wrench or twist a bolt. Each space suit is custom-designed for the man or woman who will wear it, from the size of the shoes to the size of the gloves.

6. Waste receptacle: The space suit even has a portable toilet (which is really just a super absorbent material, much like a diaper).

Refracting telescope (parts+ what it does)

2 lenses + eyepiece and primary lens, double convex lens (used to collect and focus light), concave eyepeice magnifies imagery, invented by Hans Lippershey 1600s

Reflecting Telescopes

• Reflecting telescopes use mirrors, not lenses

• Large concave primary/objective mirror made of glass-like material coated in reflective metal (e.g. aluminum)

• Mirrors can be much larger than lenses

• Allows reflecting telescopes to see farther than refracting telescopes

• Multiple mirrors can be combined to form one huge primary mirror

• Largest primary mirror over 12 meters in size

Composition of planets

The composition of planets primarily consists of various elements and compounds, which can include rocks, metals, gases, and ices, depending on the type of planet (terrestrial or gas giant). Terrestrial planets are primarily composed of silicate rocks and metals, while gas giants are mostly made up of hydrogen and helium.

Spinoff technologies

1. Insulation materials - Originally designed for spacecraft, now used in homes and appliances.

2. Memory foam - Developed for spacecraft seat cushioning, now widely used in mattresses and pillows.

3. Water purification systems - Created for long-duration space missions, now utilized in civilian applications for clean drinking water.

4. LED technology - Initially used in space equipment, now commonly found in household lighting.

LEO orbit +uses

Low Earth Orbit - 300-21000km above earths surface, revolves faster than rotation. These satellites are good at transmitting signals quickly to the Earth and back but have the disadvantage of not being able to send signals over a large area of Earth. ex. communications (low cost internet service, and remote phone-based comms), earth observation, remotesensing, military reconaissance, weather forecasting.

Meo orbit +uses

These satellites sit between LEO and GEO orbits to move information quicker than GEO orbits, but slower than LEO to allow calculations

- Orbit earth about twice a day

- Located between 5000 and 20000km from earth

- Composed of mainly GPS satellites

Geo orbit+ uses

-35 789 km above the Earth

-naturally orbit Earth

-orbit at the same speed as the Earth rotates

-sends signals over large area

-takes longer to receive signals

global communication and television broadcasting

Space travel controversy

Why dont we fix poverty/ global warming, cost is high, disease and epidemic should be addressed b4 space, which countries are responsible for space related descisions? Space has abundant resources, a lot of minerals on asteroids, becomes less costly the more materials we start accessing on space become available to us. moon rocks give us hydrogen and water

What is remote sensing technology

satelites that gather information, the science of acquiring information about the earths surface from a distance, typically throught a satellite, by detecting and recording reflected or emitted energy.