Space Unit Test Review

Space Unit Test Review

• Descriptions of celestial objects:

  • Asteroids are small, rocky bodies orbiting the Sun, ranging in size from dust to 1000 km. Found in the Asteroid Belt.
  • Comets are icy and dusty objects that orbit the Sun.
  • Meteoroids are small objects in the solar system that could become meteors.
  • Meteors are small bodies of matter that enter Earth's atmosphere.
  • Meteorites are meteors that survive their passage through Earth's atmosphere and strike the ground.

• Inner and outer planets:

  • Inner planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
  • Outer planets include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

• Astronomical Unit:

  • An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, approximately 150,000,000 km.

• Big Bang Theory Evidence:

  • Redshift: Galaxies are moving away from each other, supporting the expansion of the universe.
  • Cosmic background radiation: This leftover radiation is evidence of the initial moments of the universe's formation.

• Star's Energy:

  • Stars shine due to nuclear reactions in their core. This energy travels to the surface, making the star visible.

• Star Formation:

  • Stars are "born" in nebulas.

• Sun-Earth Interactions:

  • The Sun's radiation warms Earth's atmosphere, causing weather patterns (wind).
  • Provides energy for photosynthesis.
  • Solar storms (solar wind) release high-energy particles, leading to auroras and impacting electronic equipment.

• Aurora Borealis:

  • Caused by high-energy particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field.

• Solar System Formation:

  • A spinning cloud of gas and dust formed the solar system.
  • Most material accumulated in the center (the Sun).
  • Leftover material formed the planets in orbit.

• Earth's Seasons:

  • Earth's tilted axis and revolution around the Sun cause seasons.
  • When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer; when tilted away, it experiences winter.

• Life Cycles of Stars:

  • Low Mass Star: Birth, main sequence, red giant, white dwarf, black dwarf.
  • Medium Mass Star: Birth, main sequence, red giant, white dwarf.

• Length of Years:

  • A planet's orbital period (length of year) depends on its distance from the Sun.

• Sun's Effect on Earth:

  • Sun's radiation heats the atmosphere and provides energy for life through photosynthesis.
  • Moon causes tides but Sun has a greater overall effect on Earth.

• Lunar Eclipse

• Solar Eclipse

• Tides:

  • Tides occur on both sides of Earth due to the Moon's gravitational pull. The side closest and the far side are pulled the most.
  • Twice a day, because the Earth rotates.

• Weather Patterns:

  • Uneven heating on Earth's surface causes high and low pressure air masses—generating wind.

• Space Exploration:

  • Space exploration has both benefits and drawbacks, such as expense, pollution, and potential health risks