Download Our Solar System

Astronomy
Notes
Notes Created by Harris Middle
School with graphics cited.
Part 1
Image From: http://www.astronomy-pictures.net/spiral_galaxy.jpg;
Universe
Outer space and
everything in it.
Image from: http://www.futurehi.net/images/deepfield.jpg; Definition Adapted From: Access Science Glossary, page 324.
H-R Diagram: Shows the relationship between
color, temperature, magnitude & size of stars.
Click for Life Cycle of Stars BrainPOP:
http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/lifecycleofstars/
Magnitude
• Color = temperature
• Magnitude/luminosity = how bright
• Our Sun is a main sequence star.
Click for Life Cycle of Stars Animation:
http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/labs/star_life/support/HR_animated_real.html
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• Our Sun is a main sequence star.
Click for Life Cycle of Stars BrainPOP:
Magnitude
•
Click for Life Cycle of Stars Animation:
http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/labs/star_life/support/HR_animated_real.html
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Magnitude
A measure of how bright a star is.
Images From: http://www.astronomyforbeginners.com/images/doublecluster.jpg & http://startswithabang.com/wpcontent/uploads/2008/12/549px-sirius_a_and_b_hubble_photo.jpg; Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Black Dwarf
Nebula
1. Large
cloud of
gas & dust
where
stars form.
2. Gravity pulls
4. Outer layers
5. Collapses
material into a
come off
sphere that
to just its
3. Expands
becomes
core
dense, hot
Explodes!
& ignites.
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Stars
• An object made of gas that gives off energy
– mainly hydrogen
– helium
The Sun
•
•
•
•
medium in size & life span compared to other stars
primary energy source for all processes on Earth
much closer to Earth than any other star!
about 4 ½ billion years old
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Galaxy
• A large grouping of stars, gas and dust
in space.
• 3 types
1.
2.
3.
1
Spiral or Disc – bulge in center & distinctive spiral arms
•
Example: Our galaxy, The Milky Way
•
Our solar system is located within an arm
Elliptical – spherical or elongated
Irregular- no definite shape.
2
3
Light Year
A measure of how long it takes light to
travel through space in one year.
Image From: http://uniqhorns.com/images/milkyway.gif;
Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
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Galaxy
A large grouping of
stars in space.
Image From: http://www.astronomy-pictures.net/spiral_galaxy.jpg; Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Spiral Galaxy
A galaxy with a
bulge in the center
and distinctive spiral
arms.
Galaxy M81 is a spiral galaxy
Image From: http://geology.com/nasa/universe-pictures/spiral-galaxy.jpg; Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Irregular Galaxy
A galaxy with an
irregular shape.
Barnard’s Galaxy is an irregular shaped galaxy.
Image From: http://astronomy-mall.com/Adventures.In.Deep.Space/images/barnard.jpg;
Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Elliptical Galaxy
A spherical or
elongatedshaped galaxy.
M87 is an elliptical galaxy.
Image From: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0406/m87_cfht.jpg; Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Milky Way Galaxy
The name of
the galaxy
where we live.
Image From: http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/images/milky_way_large.jpg; Definition Adapted From: www.thefreedictionary.com
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Electromagnetic Spectrum
The range of all the waves that can travel
through matter as well as empty space.
R
O
Y
G
B
I
V
Scientists use different
portions of the spectrum to
learn about the universe.
Ex: light waves can tell us
what elements stars are
made & if they are moving
away or towards other
objects.
Image From: http://www.lcse.umn.edu/specs/labs/images/spectrum.gif
Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Theories on the Origin of the Universe
1. Steady State – has always been the same
2. Oscillating Model - began by expanding, has
slowed down & is now contracting
3. Big Bang - *the dominant theory
• 12 to 15 billion years ago
• Universe began as a dense point that exploded
• It rapidly expanded & began to cool down,
forming stars, etc.
• Evidence
 discovery of cosmic background radiation
 red shift in EM spectrum suggest it is still expanding
Click for Big Bang BrainPOP: http://www.brainpop.com/science/space/bigbang/
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