Space Exploration & Cosmology

SPACE EXPLORATION CHECKLISTI don’t know ❌ I sort of know ❔ I understand ✔
1. I can describe our current understanding of the universe.
2. I know what is meant by the following: planet, dwarf planet, moon, sun, asteroid, solar system, star, exoplanet, galaxy and universe.
3. I know the benefits of satellites e.g. GPS, weather forecasting, communications, scientific discovery and space exploration (e.g/ Hubble telescope and ISS).
4. I know that a geostationary orbit has a period of 24 hrs and orbits at an altitude of 36000km.
5.I know that the period of a satellite in a high orbit is greater than the period of a satellite in a lower altitude orbit.
6. Awareness of the challenges of space travel:-travelling large distances with the possible solution of attaining higher velocity by using ion drive (producing a small unbalanced force over an extended period of time).-travelling large distances using a ‘catapult’ from a fast moving asteroid, moon, or planet.- maneuvering a spacecraft in a zero friction environment, possibly to dock with the ISS.-maintaining sufficient energy to operate life support systems in a spacecraft, with the possible solution of using solar cells with area that varies with distance from the sun.
7. I can describe the risks associated with manned space exploration:-fuel load on take off.-potential exposure to radiation.-pressure differential.-re-entry through an atmosphere .
8. I can use newtons second and third laws to describe space travel, rocket launch and landing.
9. I can use the W=mg to work out the weight, mass and gravitational field strength , in different locations in the universe.
10. I know that gravitational field strength, in deep space, is zero newtons per kilograms.
11. I know that gravitational field strength is the weight per kilogram of mass.
COSMOLOGY CHECKLIST
1. I know what it is meant by the light year.
2. I know how to convert meters into light years, and light years into meters.
3. I can describe the ‘big bang‘ model of the origin of the universe.
4. I know the approximate age of the universe.
5. I know the use of each radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum in obtaining information about astronomical object.
6. I can identify the continuous spectrum.
7. I can identify the line emission spectrum.
8. I know how to use spectral data foe known elements in order to identify elements present in stars

 

Space Exploration

  1. The universe contains many galaxies. The current and favored theory on the origin of the universe is that of the Big Bang Model. It describes an event, that happened around 14 billion years ago, which leads to stars and galaxies continually forming. The universe containing it is accelerating at an increasing rate.
  2. Planet- A natural satellite that orbits the sun.

        Dwarf Planet- Orbits a star. Has a mass, enough to produce a round-type planet. Shares its own orbit with asteroids and comets.

        Asteroid- Solid objects in space, smaller than planets, orbiting the sun.

        Exoplanet- A planet outside our solar system orbiting another star.

        Moon- A natural satellite that orbits a planet.

        Star- A mass of hot gas that emits heat and light. It woks on nuclear fusion.

        Sun- A star at the center of the solar system.

        Solar System- A star and objects (planets, asteroids, comets) that orbit it.

        Galaxy- A collection of stars.

        Universe- All energy and matter in existence.

  1. The current and favored theory on the origin of the universe is that of the Big Bang Model. It describes an event, that happened around 14 billion years ago, which leads to stars and galaxies continually forming.
  2. Around 14 billion years old
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