Universe

Stars and Galaxies

TAKS Objective 5 The student will

demonstrate an understanding of Earth
and space systems.

TEKS Science Concepts 8.13 A, B, and C

The student knows characteristics of the
universe. The student is expected to:

Describe characteristics of the universe

such as stars and galaxies;

Galaxies are classified according to shape.

About 75% of galaxies we can see are
classified as spiral galaxies.

ELLIPTICAL galaxies show little internal

structure.

SPIRAL galaxies feature a strong central flat

disk with the spiral arms extending out from
the ends of the disk.

IRREGULAR galaxies show little evidence

of systematic rotation.

The Origin of the Universe

The Big Bang Theory
Explains that the universe
began with a violent
explosion sometime
between 10 to 20 billion
years ago!!!
It is believed that the
universe is still
expanding!!!!!!

Description of Theory:
Big Bang Theory
The most well-known theory of the origin of our universe is
the Big Bang theory. The universe is thought to have originally
consisted of a very small volume with very high density, and
high temperatures. The idea comes from observations that
galaxies are moving away from our own. The phenomena is
compared to an explosive force, hence Big Bang.
The Big Bang theorizes that space itself began expanding like
the surface of an inflating balloon. The Big Bang is not like an
explosion of matter. It carried matter with it as it expanded.
There was no explosion; only an expansion that still
continues. Imagine an extremely tiny balloon expanding to the
size of our current universe.

What do we use in space to

measure distance?
Solar System
Astronomical Unit
1 AU = 150 million km or
93 million miles
1 AU= DISTANCE FROM
EARTH TO SUN

In Space
Light-years: the distance
that light can travel in one
year.
1 light-year= 10 trillion km
1 light-year=
5,865,696,000,000 miles

 Speed of light = 3 x 10 ^8 m/sec

300,000,000 m/sec

Do stars really twinkle?

Stellar Scintillation
The light is refracted or
bent when it passes
across air found in the
layers of the atmosphere.

Refraction

Stars are classified by size,

luminosity(brightness), and
color=temperature.
We use the HR DIAGRAM.

A stars color
Is determined by the temperature of the
star.

Life Cycle of Star

Words to know:
Axis - imaginary
line around which
Earth spins,
causing day and
night

http://vortex.plymouth.edu/sun/axis.gif

Words to know:
Rotation spinning of Earth
on its axis, which
causes day and
night; it takes 24
hours for Earth
to complete one
rotation
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/sun/rot8_an.gif

Words to know:
Revolution - the motion of Earth around
the Sun, which takes about 365 1/4
days, or one year, to complete

http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us

Seasons

Moon Phases

Lunar Eclipse
Occurs when the moon moves into the
shadow of the Earth and the moon grows
dark for an hour or more

SUN

EARTH

Moon

Solar Eclipse
Occurs when the Moon passes between
the Earth and the Sun and casts its
shadow on Earth.
SUN

Moon

EARTH

Tides
Tides are caused by the combined pull of
gravity from Moon and the Sun.
Everyday we have 2 high and 2 low tides.
When Sun and Moon align, high tides are
higher and low tides are lower than
normal.

 Spring Tide

Neap Tide