Introduction to Astronomy
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of astronomy?

  • Study of black holes
  • Study of stars
  • Study of the universe (correct)
  • Study of planets

The Milky Way Galaxy is a type of elliptical galaxy.

False (B)

Who was Al Biruni?

An Iranian polymath and astronomer.

The ________ is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way.

<p>Andromeda Galaxy</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following galaxies to their descriptions:

<p>Cigar Galaxy = Known for its elongated shape Sombrero Galaxy = Distinctive hat-like structure Sunflower Galaxy = Spiral galaxy with bright arms Cartwheel Galaxy = Unique ring structure around a central core</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of data do space probes collect?

<p>Temperature, light, and elemental composition data (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Black holes have so much gravity that even light cannot escape from them.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event in space exploration occurred in the 1950s?

<p>The start of sending space probes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The _______ shape of galaxies can become distorted when they collide.

<p>spiral</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the universe?

<p>Trees (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the universe is made up of dark matter?

<p>25 percent (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dark matter can be directly observed with telescopes.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the High Definition Space Telescope?

<p>To observe astronomical phenomena with a larger mirror than the James Webb Telescope.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dark matter is thought to account for approximately ______ percent of the universe.

<p>25</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following telescopes has a mirror that is almost twice the size of the James Webb Telescope?

<p>High Definition Space Telescope (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following celestial objects with their respective descriptions:

<p>Solar System = Includes planets orbiting a star Galaxy = A massive system of stars, dust and dark matter Star = A luminous celestial body made of plasma Dust = Tiny particles found in interstellar space</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of infrared light in astronomy?

<p>Infrared light allows astronomers to detect cooler celestial objects and observe through dust clouds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Celestial objects in space make up more than 10 percent of the total matter in space.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most of the gravity in the universe is thought to be produced by ______.

<p>dark matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred for Voyager 1 in 2021?

<p>Exited the heliosphere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Data from the Voyager spacecraft takes about 20 minutes to reach Earth.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the photo taken by Voyager 1 that shows Earth from a great distance?

<p>Pale Blue Dot</p> Signup and view all the answers

Satellites gather climate data, weather patterns, and detect __________.

<p>air quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following telescopes with their main features:

<p>Hubble Telescope = Gathers data on other galaxies James Webb Telescope = Uses infrared light Voyager 1 = Exited the heliosphere Voyager Golden Record = Communication attempt with potential extraterrestrial life</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon do satellites monitor that affects flight patterns?

<p>Volcanic eruptions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

There are approximately 3400 active satellites orbiting Earth as of 2020.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of climate change on coral reefs?

<p>Less coral presence</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Aral Sea has been nearly destroyed due to __________ for cotton crops.

<p>irrigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of waves do satellites send out for gathering data?

<p>Radio waves and lidar (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is astronomy?

The study of the universe and everything in it, including its origin, evolution, and composition.

What is an astronomer?

A person who studies astronomy.

What is the universe?

Everything that exists, including all matter and energy.

What is a galaxy?

Huge collections of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, bound together by gravity.

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What is a star?

A celestial body that produces its own light and heat through nuclear fusion.

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What is a solar system?

A system of planets, asteroids, dust, and other objects orbiting a star.

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What is a space probe?

An unmanned spacecraft sent into space to collect data and information about the universe.

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What is a black hole?

A celestial object with such strong gravity that not even light can escape.

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What is the Milky Way?

The galaxy containing our solar system, characterized by a spiral shape.

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What is heliocentric?

The arrangement where planets orbit a star, with the star at the center.

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Heliosphere

The region where the Sun's influence is still felt within our solar system.

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Voyager 1

A spacecraft launched in 1977 that has left our solar system and entered interstellar space.

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Pale Blue Dot

A famous image captured by Voyager 1 showing Earth as a small blue dot from a vast distance.

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Satellites

Artificial objects orbiting a planet to collect data.

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Radar

A technology used by satellites to send radio waves and receive reflections from Earth's surface.

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Lidar

A technology used by satellites to send laser light and receive reflections from Earth's surface.

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Hubble Telescope

A satellite orbiting Earth to collect data from other galaxies.

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James Webb Telescope

A powerful space telescope launched in 2021, succeeding the Hubble.

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Infrared light

A type of electromagnetic radiation invisible to the human eye.

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Ozone layer

A layer in the Earth's atmosphere that protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

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Optical/Visible Light

A type of light that allows us to see the oldest galaxies in the universe.

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Dark Matter

A type of matter that does not interact with light, making it invisible to telescopes.

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Galaxy

A large collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter, held together by gravity.

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Star

A celestial object that emits light and heat through nuclear fusion.

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Solar System

The collection of planets, asteroids, dust, and other celestial bodies, that orbits a star.

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Universe

The largest known structure in the universe, containing everything we can observe.

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Black Hole

A celestial object with such strong gravity that nothing, not even light, can escape.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Astronomy!

  • Astronomy is the study of the universe and everything in it
  • Astronomy is the study of the universe and its components. Biruni (973-1043 AD) was a significant Iranian polymath, astronomer, etc.
  • Learning goals include knowing the major components of the universe.

Definitions

  • Astronomy is the study of the universe.
  • An astronomer is a person who studies astronomy.
  • The universe is everything that exists, including stars, dust, and galaxies. The universe is made up of the elements found on the periodic table.

Parts of the Universe

  • The universe contains galaxies.
  • Galaxies contain billions of stars and planets.
  • Examples of galaxies mentioned are the Cigar Galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy, Sunflower Galaxy, Cartwheel galaxy, and Andromeda Galaxy (the next closest galaxy to ours).

The Milky Way Galaxy

  • Our galaxy is spiral-shaped.
  • The Milky Way contains Sagittarius A* (a black hole) in the middle.
  • Black holes have immense gravity, not even light can escape them
  • Spiral galaxies can be distorted when they collide or get too close to each other.
  • Merging galaxies may create supermassive black holes.
  • The sun is in the Milky Way galaxy.

Heliocentric Solar Systems & Galaxies

  • Galaxies have billions of stars in them.
  • Stars have solar systems (planets, asteroids, and dust) orbiting them, these are heliocentric.

Gathering Data

  • Space Probes are unpiloted devices sent from Earth into space.

  • They can land on or float in space.

  • They primarily transmit information by radio.

  • Probes must be able to handle extreme environments.

  • Examples like Voyager 1 & 2, Pioneer 10 & 11, New Horizons, Juno, Cassini, and Galileo have explored the outer planets.

    • Voyager 1 & 2 launched in 1977, initially for four years but still operating.

  • Exited the heliosphere (region of the Sun's influence).

  • Data transmission time to Earth varies depending on the target.

  • Some have golden records for communication with other life forms.

  • Satellites orbit planets, gathering data about weather, climate patterns, clouds and military information. Data is gathered by sensors sending out radio waves (radar) or laser light (lidar).

  • Satellites detect air quality, fires, clouds, smoke, and vegetation cover

Telescopes

  • Hubble Telescope (1990): A satellite orbiting Earth collecting data on other galaxies.
  • James Webb Telescope (2021): Hubble's successor, has a significantly larger gold mirror, enabling detection of infrared light. Webb utilizes infrared light to observe older galaxies.

Dark Matter

  • Dark matter is invisible material in the universe.
  • It doesn't emit or absorb light, making it undetectable by telescopes.
  • It composes roughly 25% of the universe.
  • Most of the gravity in the universe is from dark matter.

Practice Questions

  • Organize vocabulary words (solar system, dust, galaxy, universe, star, planets) in order from largest to smallest.
  • Describe the functions of satellites.
  • Compare and contrast Hubble and James Webb telescopes using a Venn diagram.
  • Explain dark matter and how it's detected.
  • Explain the importance of infrared light in astronomy.

Space Summative

  • Review all the gathered information.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of astronomy, including the universe's components, major galaxies, and key figures like Al Biruni. Learn about the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy and concepts like black holes and galaxies. Test your knowledge on the vastness of the universe.

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