The Dawn of Distant Skies
... atmospheres because the first handful of exoplanets were discovered indirectly, through the influence each had on its parent star. The planets themselves were invisible, but because each star and planet orbit a mutual center of gravity, the gravitational tug of the planet makes the star appear to wo ...
... atmospheres because the first handful of exoplanets were discovered indirectly, through the influence each had on its parent star. The planets themselves were invisible, but because each star and planet orbit a mutual center of gravity, the gravitational tug of the planet makes the star appear to wo ...
Lecture 3
... But the Moon actually goes around the Earth once every 27.3 days! Why are these numbers different? ...
... But the Moon actually goes around the Earth once every 27.3 days! Why are these numbers different? ...
lecture2
... We live on a rotating sphere (Earth) that receives lights only from one source (the Sun). If here is day, on the other side of Earth it is night. So, how do we synch the time across the planet? The time for many astronomical events is given in Universal Time (UT), which is (approximately) the local ...
... We live on a rotating sphere (Earth) that receives lights only from one source (the Sun). If here is day, on the other side of Earth it is night. So, how do we synch the time across the planet? The time for many astronomical events is given in Universal Time (UT), which is (approximately) the local ...
The Solar System: Cosmic encounter with Pluto
... The Voyagers successfully completed their mission making discoveries such as the active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon, Io, and learning details about Saturn's rings. They had only been made to last five years but were still both going strong, so NASA extended their mission. Voyager 2 went on to take a ...
... The Voyagers successfully completed their mission making discoveries such as the active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon, Io, and learning details about Saturn's rings. They had only been made to last five years but were still both going strong, so NASA extended their mission. Voyager 2 went on to take a ...
where it is, how big it
... The four large Galilean moons are named after other people in Zeus’ life, most are his lovers. Jupiter is considered one of the gas planets. The gas planets are the planets in our solar system which do not have solid surfaces, their gaseous material simply gets denser with depth. What we see when l ...
... The four large Galilean moons are named after other people in Zeus’ life, most are his lovers. Jupiter is considered one of the gas planets. The gas planets are the planets in our solar system which do not have solid surfaces, their gaseous material simply gets denser with depth. What we see when l ...
MIT
... extends out to a distance of 50,000 AU, and maybe even out to 100,000 AU. • The Oort Cloud has never been seen directly. • Appears to exist because comets with extremely long orbits sometimes pass near the Sun and then head back out again. • The Oort cloud could have a trillion icy objects. ...
... extends out to a distance of 50,000 AU, and maybe even out to 100,000 AU. • The Oort Cloud has never been seen directly. • Appears to exist because comets with extremely long orbits sometimes pass near the Sun and then head back out again. • The Oort cloud could have a trillion icy objects. ...
AST 105 HW #2 Solution
... Each of the following statements makes some type of claim. Decide in each case whether the claim could be evaluated scientifically or whether it falls into the realm of non-science. Explain clearly; not all of these have definitive answers, so your explanation is more important than your chosen answ ...
... Each of the following statements makes some type of claim. Decide in each case whether the claim could be evaluated scientifically or whether it falls into the realm of non-science. Explain clearly; not all of these have definitive answers, so your explanation is more important than your chosen answ ...
Brock physics - Brock University
... (b) precisely measure the relative brightness of each planet. (c) determine the composition of the atmosphere of each planet. (d) determine the relative distances of each planet from the Sun. 16. Kepler’s first law of planetary motion states that (a) Donald Trump’s brain is the size of a pea. (b) an ...
... (b) precisely measure the relative brightness of each planet. (c) determine the composition of the atmosphere of each planet. (d) determine the relative distances of each planet from the Sun. 16. Kepler’s first law of planetary motion states that (a) Donald Trump’s brain is the size of a pea. (b) an ...
Evolution and the Big Bang, ET Life Lec. 6, Jan 18, 2002
... for the age of the Universe. The half-life is the amount of time one has to wait until the probability of decay is 50%. If you start with 8lbs of radioactive material. After one half-life 4lbs remain, after two halflives 2lbs remain and after 3 half-lives only one lb is left. Thus only ¼ of the init ...
... for the age of the Universe. The half-life is the amount of time one has to wait until the probability of decay is 50%. If you start with 8lbs of radioactive material. After one half-life 4lbs remain, after two halflives 2lbs remain and after 3 half-lives only one lb is left. Thus only ¼ of the init ...
Solar System Origins
... All objects in the Solar System seem to have formed at nearly the same time, out of the same original cloud of gas and dust Radioactive dating of rocks from the Earth, Moon, and some asteroids suggests an age of about 4.5 billion yrs A similar age is found for the Sun based on current observat ...
... All objects in the Solar System seem to have formed at nearly the same time, out of the same original cloud of gas and dust Radioactive dating of rocks from the Earth, Moon, and some asteroids suggests an age of about 4.5 billion yrs A similar age is found for the Sun based on current observat ...
Extra-Solar Planets
... the habitable zone, so it could have liquid water on its surface. The next step is to search for evidence of life on this planet (e.g., oxygen in its atmosphere), but the necessary technology probably won’t be available for another 20 years. ...
... the habitable zone, so it could have liquid water on its surface. The next step is to search for evidence of life on this planet (e.g., oxygen in its atmosphere), but the necessary technology probably won’t be available for another 20 years. ...
Kepler - STScI
... •Giant planets, as a class, are enriched in heavy elements •Enriched compared to the Sun •Enriched compared to their parent stars •Enrichment is a strong inverse function of mass, but with an apparent “floor” at high mass •The heavy element mass of an inflated planet could be estimated only from its ...
... •Giant planets, as a class, are enriched in heavy elements •Enriched compared to the Sun •Enriched compared to their parent stars •Enrichment is a strong inverse function of mass, but with an apparent “floor” at high mass •The heavy element mass of an inflated planet could be estimated only from its ...
Advanced Interactive PPT
... planets. Asteroids are material left over from the formation of the solar system. Asteroids are rocky and metallic objects that orbit the Sun but are too small to be considered planets. They are known as minor planets. Some have orbits that cross Earth’s path and some have even hit the Earth. ...
... planets. Asteroids are material left over from the formation of the solar system. Asteroids are rocky and metallic objects that orbit the Sun but are too small to be considered planets. They are known as minor planets. Some have orbits that cross Earth’s path and some have even hit the Earth. ...
Regents Review
... “Every Hawaiian island has a leeward side and a windward side. The leeward side faces South or West and is hot, dry, and sunny. The windward side faces North or East and is moderate, lush, and green. There are drawbacks and benefits to both. Because the leeward side has less rain, it is less green. ...
... “Every Hawaiian island has a leeward side and a windward side. The leeward side faces South or West and is hot, dry, and sunny. The windward side faces North or East and is moderate, lush, and green. There are drawbacks and benefits to both. Because the leeward side has less rain, it is less green. ...
STAR OF BETHLEHEM
... For some time two planets will approach each other and finally merge. This will last only hours (and the total brightness will decrease during the occultation). But it would have profound astrological significance. These occultations are very rare; between 1570 and 2230 there are only 23 (including ...
... For some time two planets will approach each other and finally merge. This will last only hours (and the total brightness will decrease during the occultation). But it would have profound astrological significance. These occultations are very rare; between 1570 and 2230 there are only 23 (including ...
Glossary - Sky Science
... Scientists believe that flares occur when energy trapped in magnetic fields suddenly erupts, releasing high-energy particles into space. Full moon: the phase of the moon when its nearside is completely illuminated by the sun. Galaxy: a system containing billion of stars and interstellar material hel ...
... Scientists believe that flares occur when energy trapped in magnetic fields suddenly erupts, releasing high-energy particles into space. Full moon: the phase of the moon when its nearside is completely illuminated by the sun. Galaxy: a system containing billion of stars and interstellar material hel ...
Why do things move?
... •Stars remain in the same relative position to one another as they move across the sky. •Several bright “stars” exhibit motion relative to other stars. •Bright “wanderers” called planets. •Planets roam in regular but curious manner. Hypothesis: •Geocentric “Earth-centered” universe! •Sun moves aroun ...
... •Stars remain in the same relative position to one another as they move across the sky. •Several bright “stars” exhibit motion relative to other stars. •Bright “wanderers” called planets. •Planets roam in regular but curious manner. Hypothesis: •Geocentric “Earth-centered” universe! •Sun moves aroun ...
Powerpoint file
... a Short-Period Planet ("Hot Jupiters") • Transit Probability for the Hot Jupiters: ~ 10% • Therefore 1 Transit/1000 Stars is expected • 30-40 Transits for the full surveyed Stellar Sample are expected if the 47 Tuc Planet occurence is the same as in Field Stars ...
... a Short-Period Planet ("Hot Jupiters") • Transit Probability for the Hot Jupiters: ~ 10% • Therefore 1 Transit/1000 Stars is expected • 30-40 Transits for the full surveyed Stellar Sample are expected if the 47 Tuc Planet occurence is the same as in Field Stars ...
Big idea # 5 * Earth in space in time
... relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size, and composition. SC.8.E.5.4 Explore the Law of Universal Gravitation by explaining the role that gravity plays in the formation of planets, stars, and solar systems and in determining their motions. SC.8.E.5.5 Describe and cla ...
... relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size, and composition. SC.8.E.5.4 Explore the Law of Universal Gravitation by explaining the role that gravity plays in the formation of planets, stars, and solar systems and in determining their motions. SC.8.E.5.5 Describe and cla ...
Sorting the Solar System - California Academy of Sciences
... group to describe how they categorized it. What characteristics does it share with the others in that category? Could the object fit into more than one category they have created? 5. Different groups will categorize the same object differently. Discuss the differences ...
... group to describe how they categorized it. What characteristics does it share with the others in that category? Could the object fit into more than one category they have created? 5. Different groups will categorize the same object differently. Discuss the differences ...
A Walk through the Universe
... using “bigger” and (if necessary) “smaller” to extract a reasonable number. If nothing sensible emerges after a dozen or so guesses, give up.] About 59 km away – that’s somewhere in Leeds (or whatever town is appropriate for your venue). It takes light four years to reach the nearest star: you had j ...
... using “bigger” and (if necessary) “smaller” to extract a reasonable number. If nothing sensible emerges after a dozen or so guesses, give up.] About 59 km away – that’s somewhere in Leeds (or whatever town is appropriate for your venue). It takes light four years to reach the nearest star: you had j ...
Astrobiology
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe: extraterrestrial life and life on Earth. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry, laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on Earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges on Earth and in outer space. Astrobiology addresses the question of whether life exists beyond Earth, and how humans can detect it if it does. (The term exobiology is similar but more specific—it covers the search for life beyond Earth, and the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living things.)Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography, and geology to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize biospheres that might be different from the biosphere on Earth. The origin and early evolution of life is an inseparable part of the discipline of astrobiology. Astrobiology concerns itself with interpretation of existing scientific data; given more detailed and reliable data from other parts of the universe, the roots of astrobiology itself—physics, chemistry and biology—may have their theoretical bases challenged. Although speculation is entertained to give context, astrobiology concerns itself primarily with hypotheses that fit firmly into existing scientific theories.The chemistry of life may have begun shortly after the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago, during a habitable epoch when the Universe was only 10–17 million years old. According to the panspermia hypothesis, microscopic life—distributed by meteoroids, asteroids and other small Solar System bodies—may exist throughout the universe. According to research published in August 2015, very large galaxies may be more favorable to the creation and development of habitable planets than smaller galaxies, like the Milky Way galaxy. Nonetheless, Earth is the only place in the universe known to harbor life. Estimates of habitable zones around other stars, along with the discovery of hundreds of extrasolar planets and new insights into the extreme habitats here on Earth, suggest that there may be many more habitable places in the universe than considered possible until very recently.Current studies on the planet Mars by the Curiosity and Opportunity rovers are now searching for evidence of ancient life as well as plains related to ancient rivers or lakes that may have been habitable. The search for evidence of habitability, taphonomy (related to fossils), and organic molecules on the planet Mars is now a primary NASA objective on Mars.