Download Studying Space Chapter 26 Notes

Studying Space
Chapter 26 Notes
Standards
2b Students know galaxies are made
of billions of stars and comprise most
of the visible mass in the universe.
2d. Students know that stars differ in
their life cycles, and visual, radio, and
x-ray telescopes may be used to
collect data that reveal those
differences.
The Value of Astronomy
Studying astronomy leads to the discovery
of planets, stars, black holes, formation of
our earth
 Benefits to humans may include finding
new sources of energy
 May help protect us from disasters such
as collisions between Earth and Asteroids
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Characteristics of the Universe
Universe began to form about 14-15 billion
years ago with “The Big Bang” and
continues to expand.
 The Universe is very large and objects are
far apart.
 The nearest part of the universe to Earth is
the our Solar System, the sun, the moon,
planets and asteroids.
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Measuring Distances in the
Universe
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Since the Universe is so big we can not use our
system of measurement to determine distances
To measure distances in the Solar System we
use the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
This is an “Astronomical Unit” or AU =
149,597,870.691km
Speed of Light = 9.46 x 10 How far light travels
in a year. The closest star (besides the sun) is
4.22 light years away from Earth.
Observing Space
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Stars emit light which allows us to observe the
night sky. (Planets do not emit light)
Humans can only see visible light. But some
objects emit light through radiation, x-ray or
radio waves. The “Electromagnetic Spectrum”
includes all form of light.
Different forms of light travels at different
speeds/wavelengths. Astronomers use special
instruments to detect electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Telescopes
In 1569 Galileo
used two lenses to
make objects
appear closer.
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Types of Telescopes
Optical Telescopes collect only visible light
 Reflecting telescopes used a curved mirror
to gather and focus light from distant
objects

Refracting Telescope
Bends light to gather
images

Hubble Space Telescope
Collects
Electro
Magnetic radiation
From objects
In space
Human Space Exploration
Apollo
Astronauts
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