Unit 10: Astronomy

Radiation from the stars located throughout the universe.

Electromagnetic Radiation

It is classified by its wavelength.

Classification of Electromagnetic Radiation

A device that collects and focuses electromagnetic radiation from distant objects.

Telescope

Refracting, reflecting, and radio telescopes.

Types of Telescopes

A telescope that can see visible light and uses a mirror.

Reflecting Telescope

A telescope that can see radio waves and uses a satellite dish to collect them.

Radio Telescope

Instruments sent into space to collect information.

Space-Based Tools

They are not interfered with by the atmosphere and are closer to the observed objects.

Advantages of Space-Based Tools

It takes 97 minutes to orbit Earth.

Hubble Space Telescope's Orbit Time

Launched in 1990.

Launch Year of Hubble Space Telescope

It collects visible, infrared, and UV radiation and can observe galaxies 12 billion light years away.

Function of Hubble Space Telescope

It orbits the sun and was launched in 2021.

Webb Space Telescope

Objects sent directly into space.

Spacecrafts

First liquid-fuel rocket was launched by Robert Goddard.

1826 Historical Event

Launch of Sputnik, the first satellite.

1957 Historical Event

Yuri A. Gagarin became the first man in space, Alan Shepard was the first American.

1961 Historical Event

John Glenn was the first man to orbit Earth on Mercury Friendship 7.

1962 Historical Event

Gemini 4, the first American spacewalk, and Gemini 6 and 7, the first space rendezvous.

1965 Historical Event

Apollo 11, the first man on the Moon.

1969 Historical Event

Launch of Voyagers 1 & 2, which studied other planets.

1977 Historical Event

The Challenger space shuttle disaster.

1986 Historical Event

The first day of winter, occurs on December 21st when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn.

Winter Solstice Definition

The first day of summer, occurs on June 21st when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer.

Summer Solstice Definition

When both hemispheres receive equal sunlight, resulting in equal day and night.

Equinox Definition

March 20th and September 22nd.

Equinox Dates

Formed when a huge object hit the Earth, causing debris and gas to come together.

Moon Formation

The moon takes approximately one month or 27.3 days to revolve around the Earth.

Moon's Revolution Time

Occurs when the moon is fully lit, with Earth positioned between the moon and the sun.

Full Moon Definition

Occurs when the moon is between Earth and the sun, resulting in darkness.

New Moon Definition

The moon appears to get bigger.

Define Waxing

The moon appears to get smaller.

Define Waning

Less than half of the moon is lit.

Crescent Moon Definition

More than half of the moon is lit.

Gibbous Moon Definition

When the moon is new, positioned directly between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth.

Define Solar Eclipse

When Earth is directly between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon.

Define Lunar Eclipse

Early belief that planets, sun, moon, and stars revolve around Earth.

Earth-Centered Model

Diagram positing that Earth and other planets orbit the sun, recognized by Copernicus and Galileo.

Sun-Centered Model

The idea that a nebula of gas, ice, and dust formed and triggered the birth of the sun and planets.

Solar Nebula Theory

Planets have elliptical orbits and do not orbit at the same speed.

Kepler's Discovery

Small, rocky planets that are the first four in the solar system.

Characteristics of Inner Planets

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Inner Planets

Large planets that are mostly gases and have many moons.

Characteristics of Outer Planets

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Outer Planets

Objects that are not classified as planets because they do not dominate their orbit.

Dwarf Planets

Pluto, Ceres, Eris.

Popular Dwarf Planets

Includes the sun, eight planets, various small objects, and vast amounts of space.

Solar System Composition

Smallest planet, closest to the sun, no atmosphere, many craters.

Mercury Characteristics

Second planet, similar size to Earth, has a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide.

Venus Characteristics

Third planet with water in solid, liquid, and gas forms.

Earth Characteristics

Fourth planet, known as the Red Planet, has two moons and polar ice caps.

Mars Characteristics

Largest planet with a hydrogen and helium atmosphere, and it has the Great Red Spot.

Jupiter Characteristics

Second largest planet with a low density and prominent rings.

Saturn Characteristics

Large planet with a blue color, and its axis is tilted.

Uranus Characteristics

Eighth planet, known for storms with strong winds.

Neptune Characteristics

Dwarf planet, composed of rock, ice, and methane gas.

Pluto Characteristics

Dirty snowballs made of dust, rocks, and ice.

Comets Definition

Always points away from the sun as it approaches.

Comet's Tail Definition

A mass of comets and gas that surrounds the solar system.

Oort Cloud Definition

A space rock that orbits the sun.

Define Meteoroid

A meteoroid burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Define Meteor

A space rock that hits the Earth.

Define Meteorite

When Earth passes through debris from comets.

Define Meteor Shower

A large rock mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Define Asteroid

The distance light travels in one year.

Light Year Definition

300,000 km/sec or 9.5 trillion km.

Speed of Light

Parallax helps determine the distances of stars.

Distance Measurement in Astronomy

A shift in position of an object viewed from different angles.

Define Parallax

Groups of stars that change position as the Earth orbits the sun.

Constellations Definition

Stars that circle around Polaris and are visible all year.

Circumpolar Stars Definition

Measures the brightness of stars.

Magnitude Definition

The measure of light a star emits.

Absolute Magnitude Definition

The measure of light received from a star on Earth.

Apparent Magnitude Definition

Based on the color of the star.

Star Temperature Determination Method

Analyzes the composition of stars.

Spectroscope Function

Middle-aged star, typical magnitude, not part of multiple star systems.

Sun Characteristics

Produced through nuclear fusion in the core.

Sun's Energy Production

Moves like convection currents.

Movement of Energy in the Sun

Photosphere, Chromosphere, Corona, and core.

Sun's Atmosphere Layers

The lowest layer of the sun's atmosphere.

Photosphere Definition

Releases charged particles as solar winds.

Coronal Function

Temporary dark areas on the sun that are cooler than their surroundings.

Sunspots Definition

The pattern of sunspot occurrences every 10-11 years.

Solar Activity Cycle Definition

Using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to analyze temperature and absolute magnitude.

Star Classification Method

The diagonal band on the H-R diagram representing most stars.

Main Sequence Definition

All stars originate in a nebula.

Stars Formation Process

A cloud of interstellar gas and dust.

Nebula Definition

Where temperatures increase and nuclear fusion begins.

Prostar Phase Description

Stars balancing pressure from fusion with gravitational pull.

Main Sequence Description

Occurs when stars expand and cool, leading to a carbon core.

Red Giant Formation Description

Results from a red giant when helium runs out.

White Dwarf Formation Description

Massive stars undergo fusion and expand greatly.

Super Red Giant Description

Can create a neutron star or a black hole.

Supernova Outcome

Region of space with gravity so strong that nothing can escape.

Black Hole Definition

Formed from matter ejected by stars.

New Nebula Origin

A massive collection of stars, gas, and dust held by gravity.

Galaxy Definition

The Milky Way, part of the Local Group galaxy cluster.

Our Galaxy Name

Spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies.

Types of Galaxies

Galaxies shaped like disks with spiral arms.

Spiral Galaxy Description

Three-dimensional ellipses without spiral arms.

Elliptical Galaxy Description

Galaxies with various shapes and less common.

Irregular Galaxy Description