SCI103 Module 1 - The Universe and the Solar System

Despite its popularity, there is currently a lack of scientific evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory in scholarly papers. (True or False)

False

Red Shift

Evidence of the Big Bang Theory that confirms that the universe is still expanding

Singularity

It is the infinitely hot and dense point which expanded during the Big Bang event to become the current universe.

Hydrogen

One of the elements that existed first

Strong nuclear force

Non-gravitational force that separated first from the grand unified force in the beginning for the universe

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

Evidence of the Big Bang Theory that is a remnant of the energy emitted by the rapid moving photons of the early universe

Through the capture of electrons by hydrogen and helium nuclei

How the first electrical neutral atoms of the universe formed

During Planck time, all of mass and energy of the early universe were combined into an incredibly dense and opaque primordial cosmic plasma. (True or False)

True

Primordial nucleosynthesis

Early stage of the universe wherein the first atoms were formed through the stabilization of protons and neutrons into nuclei

Planck time

10^-43 seconds

Alexander Friedmann

Found a solution that declares that the big universe violently emerged from to state of infinite compression, and is currently in the expanding aftermath of the primeval explosion.

Howard Robertson and Arthur Walker

Refashioned Friedmann’s work to form the foundation of modern cosmology

Stephan’s Quintet

compact group of galaxies, located in the constellation Pegasus

Universe

from Latin unus ; versus, vertere ; universum , universus from Old French univers

Universe

‘‘the whole world, cosmos, the totality of existing things’’

Cosmos

Greek kosmos

Cosmos

‘‘order’’ ‘‘world’’

Cosmos

‘‘the universe, the world’’

Cosmos

‘‘an orderly harmonious systematic universe

Edwin Hubble (1929)

Observed that all galaxies were moving away from one another

13.7 bya

Starting point in time

Main objects in the universe (1)

Stars

Main objects in the universe (2)

Stellar Systems

Main objects in the universe (3)

Galaxy

Stars

Any massive self luminous celestial body of gas that shines by radiation derived from its internal energy sources

Solar Systems

A star and other objects such as planets and/or other stars and other materials that orbit it.

Galaxy

any of the systems of stars and interstellar matter that make up the universe

Types of Galaxies (1)

Spiral Galaxy

Types of Galaxies (2)

Elliptical Galaxy

Types of Galaxies (3)

Irregular Galaxy

Earth

The only planet not named after a God

Earth

Densest planet in the solar system

Mercury

2nd most densest plant in the solar system

Saturn

Least dense planet of the solar system

Saturn

Most moons (146) among all the planets in solar system

Facts about Earth (1)

The planet is recycled

Facts about Earth (2)

There’s uneven gravity

Facts about Earth (3)

Coral reefs are largest living structures

Facts about Earth (4)

There was once a supercontinent

Facts about Earth (5)

Trees are breathing giants

Mercury

Closest planet to the sun, small, heavily cratered with no atmosphere

Venus

Planet that has thick atmosphere that captures much of solar radiation

Earth

Planet that has plate tectonics and strong magnetic field

Mars

Has been explored recently and new data shows water once flowed on this planet’s surface

Asteroid

Are rocky fragments concentrated in an orbit between Mars and Jupiter. Similar in composition to certain meteorites.

Jupiter

Biggest planet in the solar system, consists of helium and hydrogen with small rocky core

Saturn

Planet with icy rings

Uranus

Planet that is large but smaller than Jupiter and Saturn. Has the oddest moon in the solar system

Neptune

Very similar in size and composition to Uranus. Both are gaseous and have a blue color.

Pluto

tiny body with an icy surface and an unusual orbit. Once a planet but no longer classified as such

Solar Nebula Theory

A combination of the work of different scientists in order to explain solar formation, planetary formation, and planetary orbits.

Solar Nebula Theory

aka (Modern Laplacian Theory)

Solar Nebula Theory

Answered the original Laplacian Model’s angular momentum problem by introducing drag created by dust particles in the protoplanetary disk.

Solar Nebula Theory

Supported by the discovery of apparently young stars that were surrounded by disks of cool dust

Solar Nebula Theory

Further supported by the observation of excess infrared radiation in many stars that indicate the presence of disks of cooler material orbiting around those stars.

Nebular Collapse (1)

Temperatures continued to increase

Nebular Collapse (2)

The solar nebula spun faster and faster

Nebular Collapse (3)

The solar nebula disk flattened

Orderly motions of the solar system

Direct result of the solar system’s beginning in a spinning, flattened cloud of gas and dust

Formation of the Solar System (1)

Gravitational collapse occurs at the center of the cloud

Formation of the Solar System (2)

From this collapse, pockets of dust and gas began to collect into denser regions.

Formation of the Solar System (3)

As the denser regions pulled in more and more matter, conservation of momentum caused it to begin rotating , while increasing pressure caused it to heat up

Formation of the Solar System (4)

Most of the material ended up in a ball at the center while the rest of the matter flattened out into disk that circled around it.

Things that make life on Earth possible (1)

Our location is far from many hazards

Things that make life on Earth possible (2)

Our sun is a stable and long lasting star

Things that make life on Earth possible (3)

We’re at just the right distance from the sun

Things that make life on Earth possible (4)

We have the right stuff to host a dynamic core

Things that make life on Earth possible (5)

We have a big moon to stabilize our axial wobble

Things that make life on Earth possible (6)

We have an ozone layer to block harmful rays

The solar system is located in a dangerous harbor between major spiral arms (True or False)

False - located comfortably in a safe harbor

Supernovae

collapsing stars

There are few stars near the sun (True or False)

True

Stars more massive than the sun burn hotter and usually live long enough for planets to develop life (True or False)

False - usually don’t live long enough

Goldilocks zone

It is where the planet receives enough energy to allow water to exist as a liquid on its surface. It is not too far no too near to the sun.

Interstellar cloud of gas and dust

Gave rise to Earth contained enough radioactive elements to power a churning core for billions o years. This creates a magnetic field that protects the planets from danger like solar flares.

Earth is titled with respect to the moon (True or False)

False - respect to the sun

Ancient plantlike organisms

Organisms in the oceans that added oxygen to the atmosphere and created a high - altitude layer of ozone that shielded early land species from lethal radiation.