Space Test

What does the formation of stars tell us about the age of the universe?

• We are able to tell when observing the oldest stars.

• The intensity of redshift

• The realization of the galaxy being lder than oldest stars

What is the Big Bang model of the origin of the universe?

It’s the most widely accepted theory that states it generates from a single point called a singularity before huge amounts of energy and matter was released (it still expands today)

Describe what a nebula is, and includes what forms inside a nebula.

• A nebula is a giant cloud of dust & gas

• A star is formed

Describe what a star is.

A large ball of gas/dust held together by its own gravity that generates its own energy.

Why are Gamma rays potentially dangerous and damaging?

They hold too much energy in short wavelengths. They also cause cancer.

What’s the EM system?

A complete range of different wavelengths that compose EM radiation.

Where are microwaves to believed to have originated from?

The BG radiation left over from the Big Bang.

Describe 2 characteristics that can be determined abt a star by simply observing its visible light through a telescope?

Wat can be determined is both it’s temperature and brightness or color.

What’re 2 wavelengths of the EM spectrum besides visible light that can be used to gain info abt distant celestial bodies?

• Microwaves: Used to learn abt galaxies/stars that are behind clouds of dust.

• Radio waves: Studies composition, structure and motion of celestial objects.

What’s the Sun’s approx. location in the Milky way galaxy?

It’s at about an arm’s length

What is an astronomical unit (AU)?

The distance between the Earth and the Sun.

What is solar mass?

AU of mass+ The sun’s mass

How does a solar mass of 4 compare to the Sun?

4x bigger than the Sun.

True or False, the Sun appears to be bigger than all other stars because its size is much larger than any other star in the galaxy.

False. the Sun appears to be bigger than all other stars because it’s closer to our solar system than all other stars.

Which layer of the sun is the visible layer?

The photosphere.

What is nuclear fusion?

The reaction in which 2 or more atomic nuclei combine to form heavier elements.

What role does nuclear fusion play in the life cycle of a star?

It combines Hydrogen and Helium and generates light/energy.

What determines which part a star will follow in its life cycle?

Its mass

What’s the difference between a right dwarf and a black door?

White dwarf= burns white hot

Black dwarf= a dead star

List the stages in the life cycle of an average star:

• Stellar nebula

• Average star

• Red Giant

• Planetary Nebula

• White Dwarf

• Black Dwarf

What is the HR-Diagram & what does it help scientists do?

It is a mode that organizes stars by surface temp as well as brightness/color.

Describe the size of our Sun relative to the size of other stars in the Milky Way galaxy?

The sun is a medium sized star.

Radio Waves

• Earth: transmits radio/Tv signals

• Space: Scientists use them to study the composition, structure and motion of celestial bodies

Microwaves

• Earth: microwave ovens/communication signals(phones, wifi, bluetooth)

• Space: Learns abt galaxies/stars that are behind clouds of dust

Infrared

• Earth: remote controls

• Space: Maps dust between stars

Visible Light

• Space: Studies the composition of objects in the universe/determines size, temp and age of stars

UV Light

• Space: Studies very hot areas of the universe like centers of galaxies/studies structure and evolution of galaxies

X-rays

• Earth: used to make images of the body

• Space: Scientists used those emitted by supernovas to determine locations

Gamma Rays

• Space: Used to study high events in the universe/ studies the origin of the universe and how fast it’s expanding

• Holds high frequency