Space Unit Test Review

Study Notes

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