Download Unit E: Section 2.0


Science 9
Year End Review: Unit E – Space Exploration
Name
Date
Key Concepts
o
o
o
o
technologies for space exploration and
observation
reference frames for describing the position and
motion of bodies in space
distribution of matter through space
composition and characteristics of bodies in
space
o
o
o
o
o
o
satellites and orbits
life support technologies
communication technologies
triangulation and parallax
space exploration risks and dangers
ownership and use of resources in space
THINGS TO STUDY
Section 1.0
Human Understanding of Both Earth and Space has Changed Over Time





Section 2.0
Technological Developments make Space Exploration Possible and Offer Benefits on
Earth




Section 3.0
Space transport technology began with simple rockets, and today’s space craft are still launched using
the same principles.
To live outside of Earth’s atmosphere, the basic requirements for life must be met in space  food,
water, shelter, and air must be artificially produced.
Satellites orbiting Earth transmit information to us about weather, agriculture, and natural resources 
can use space technology to locate our exact position on Earth.
Many concepts designed for use in space have found applications on Earth  include materials used for
communication, medicine, entertainment, and transportation.
Technologies Advance our Understanding of Space




Section 4.0
Ancient cultures explained their observations of bodies in space with myths and legends.
Technology used to study space has evolved throughout history  each technological advance led to
better explanations for what was observed.
Earth orbits a star that is one of billions of stars in a spiral galaxy called the Milky Way.
Years of accurate data collection and advances in telescope technology have improved our scientific
understanding of the solar system.
A star’s position when viewed from a particular point, can be determined given the compass direction
(azimuth) and altitude.
Optical telescopes include reflecting and refracting telescopes  reflecting use mirrors and refracting use
lenses to focus light.
Visible light is only one part of the electromagnetic spectrum  other technologies allow us to detect
other forms of radiation coming from space.
Spectral shifts can tell us if a star is moving away or towards Earth.
Triangulation and parallax are two techniques for measuring distances in space.
Society and Environment are Affected by Space Exploration



There are many dangers associate with both manned and unmanned space exploration  debris and
cosmic radiation.
Canada has had a long and proud history of participation in space research and exploration.
Many issues concerning ownership of space and its resources are yet to be resolved (political, ethical,
and environmental issues).
Unit E: Section 1.0
1. What myths and legends were explained space by ancient cultures? Fill in the following table.
Ancient Culture
Description of Myth or Legend
The width of a mitt was used at arm’s length to gauge the height of
the Sun above the horizon. When it was 1 mitt-width, seal pups
would be born in two lunar cycles.
First Nations of the Pacific
Northwest
The megaliths built at Stonehenge were arranged in concentric circles
to mark the summer and winter solstices.
Mayans
The pyramids were built to align with the seasonal positions of certain
stars.
Greeks
Key rocks in medicine circles aligned with the bright star that rose in
the dawn, such as Aldebaran, Rigel, and Sirus.
2. Illustrate the two early models of planetary motion and name the astronomer who developed each
model below your diagram:
Geocentric Model of Planetary Motion
Astronomer:
Heliocentric Model of Planetary Motion
Astronomer:
3. What did Johannes Kepler contribute to the original heliocentric model?
4. Identify the astronomer’s tools used to make observations of the sky:
5. Explain the difference between astronomical units and light-years.
6. What did Hertzsprung and Russell compare when they studied stars?
7. Illustrate the life cycles of massive and sun-like stars.
8. What is a black hole and how is it formed?
9. What is the difference between a constellation and an asterism?
10. What are the three types of galaxies?
11. What are the three stages in the formation of a solar system (“protoplanet hypothesis”)?
12. What protects the Earth fro the Sun’s solar wind?
13. Fill in the table to describe the other celestial bodies in our solar system.
Celestial Body
Asteroids
Comets
Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites
Description
14. Explain what each of the following mean in describing position from a frame of reference on the Earth.
a) altitude
___________________________________________________________________
b) azimuth
___________________________________________________________________
c) zenith
___________________________________________________________________
15. What are the sky coordinates for the Moon in the illustration below:
Azimuth ___________
Altitude ___________
16. What is the celestial sphere?
17. What is the ecliptic?
Unit E: Section 2.0
1. What fundamental law of physics does the science of rocketry rely on?
2. Identify the three main parts of a rocket.
Part
3. What is gravitational escape velocity?
Function
4. Explain how an ion drive works.
5. Explain how a solar sail works.
6. Identify the three main types of spacecraft and describe what they are used for.
Type of Spacecraft
Use
7. Give examples for each type of hazard of living in space.
Hazard
Example(s)
Environmental Hazards
Psychological Challenges
Microgravity
8. Briefly describe the purpose of a space suit and how it has improved over the years.
9. What are the life-support systems on board the International Space Station?
10. How is oxygen produced on the International Space Station?
11. What are satellites? What is the difference between natural and artificial satellites?
12. What are the main categories for which satellites are used? Briefly describe each satellite’s purpose and
give an example for each category.
Type of Satellite
Purpose
Example
13. How many GPS satellites are orbiting the Earth and how many are needed to pinpoint a specific location
on the Earth?
Unit E: Section 3.0
1. What are two examples of optical telescopes? How do these telescopes differ from one another?
2. What is interferometry?
3. Describe the advantages of the Hubble Space Telescope over Earth-based telescopes.
4. Identify the different forms of energy present in the electromagnetic spectrum and put arrows at the
end of the frequencies and wavelengths lines and indicate where they increase and decrease.
5. Describe how an array is useful to astronomers.
6. How is it possible to see planets in other solar systems when their Sun (the bright star) interferes with our
observations?
7. What is the purpose behind sending space probes out into space?
8. Measure the “unknown distance” in the illustration using the triangulation method. Show your work!
9. What is parallax? How do scientists determine how far a particular star is away from the Earth using
parallax?
10. Explain how spectral lines can be formed and what device is used to achieve this effect.
11. How do astronomers use a spectrometer to determine a star’s composition?
12. What do astronomers use spectral analysis to determine?
13. What is the Doppler effect?
14. Explain the difference between a red-shift and a blue-shift star.
Unit E: Section 4.0
1. What factors affect the launch and flight of a spacecraft from the surface of the Earth, in space, and
during re-entry?
2. Identify the tragedy and danger involved in space travel.
Danger
Year
Tragedy
Training exercise prior to launch
1986
Columbia Space Shuttle
3. How can space junk be dangerous?
4. Summarize the following table of Canadian space moments.
Year
Canadian
Moment
1839
1962
1972
1984
Roberta Bondar
First Canadian to walk in space
5. Identify the questions as political, environmental, or ethical and pose a question in each of these
categories.
Issue
Political
Environmental
Ethical
Who has the authority in space?
Should we explore an alien home?
What should be done with waste in space?


