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Lesson 1: The Universe Introduction
There will be no quick check or test questions about this lesson. You can mark it complete once you have your note guide ready.
Lesson 2: Galaxies
Recommended Video: Types of Galaxies
Page 2 - What is a galaxy? Approximately how many stars are in a galaxy?
A galaxy is a massive system that consists of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter, all bound together by gravity. There are approximately 100 billion to 400 billion stars in a typical galaxy.
Page 3 - Space is described as a vacuum. What does that mean?
A vacuum is a space where there is no matter or air, meaning it has very low pressure and very few particles, making it almost empty.
Page 3 (video) - Describe each type of galaxy. Give an example of each type of galaxy and an explanation of the design or shape. You may want to draw a quick picture.
- Spiral galaxies: Spiral galaxies have a pinwheel shape, with arms winding outward from the center, where the stars are densely packed. An example is the Milky Way.
- Elliptical galaxies: These galaxies are shaped like a flattened sphere or an oval, with older stars and very little gas and dust. An example is M87.
- Irregular galaxies: These galaxies have no defined shape, often appearing as amorphous clouds of stars. An example is the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Page 4 - Describe the shape and design of the Milky Way galaxy. What can be found in the arms of the galaxy?
The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, characterized by its flat disk with spiral arms winding outwards from the central bulge. The arms contain stars, gas, dust, and regions of star formation.
Page 4 - How does the movement of the galaxy impact the Earth and other planets?
The movement of the Milky Way galaxy, including its rotation and its journey through space, affects gravitational interactions with other galaxies and cosmic phenomena, which can influence cosmic environments, star formation rates, and the distribution of matter.
Page 5 - What is the Local Group? What is the Local Group composed of?
The Local Group is a collection of galaxies that includes the Milky Way, Andromeda, and about 54 other smaller galaxies. They are gravitationally bound and relatively close to each other in cosmic terms.
Page 5 - What is an enormous group of galaxies called? Identify the name that includes the Local Group and the Milky Way.
An enormous group of galaxies is called a "supercluster." The Local Group is included in the "Laniakea Supercluster."
Fun Fact - Approximately which percentage of the universe do galaxies occupy?
Galaxies occupy about 5% of the universe. There are billions and trillions of galaxies, yet they only account for a small fraction of the total universe, with approximately 95% being empty space.
STOP - Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 3: Characteristics of the Universe
Recommended Video: NASA: The Life Cycle of a Star
Page 3 – What are the 8 planets in our Solar System?
The eight planets in our Solar System are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Page 3 – What is a moon?
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet. Moons can vary in size and composition and can influence their planets through gravitational interactions.
Page 4 – Life cycle of a star
Stars are “born” from clouds of dust and gas called nebulas. Gravity pulls the dust and gas together. Eventually, pressure and temperature build up and a star is born. They “die” when they run out of the elements that help them emit energy.
Page 5 - What are asteroids, comets, and meteoroids? What are shooting stars?
- Asteroids are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Comets are icy bodies that release gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and tail when they approach the Sun.
- Meteoroids are small rock or metal fragments in space.
- Shooting stars are not stars; they are meteors that burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, creating a visible streak of light.
STOP - Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 4: Theories About the Universe
Recommended Video: The beginning of the Universe
Page 2 and 3 - Describe the Geocentric Model.
The Geocentric Model posits that Earth is at the center of the universe, and all other celestial bodies, including the Sun and the stars, revolve around it.
Page 3 - How did the sun, moon and stars move and at what speed in the Geocentric model? What flaw was observed?
In the Geocentric model, the Sun, Moon, and stars were thought to move in circular orbits around the Earth. A major flaw observed was the retrograde motion of planets, which could not be adequately explained within this model.
Page 4 - Describe the heliocentric model. How was it different from the geocentric model?
The heliocentric model proposes that the Sun is at the center of the Solar System, with the planets orbiting around it. This model differs from the geocentric model by placing the Sun instead of the Earth at the center of celestial motion.
Page 5 - Describe the Big Bang Theory. (TEST QUESTION)
The Big Bang Theory is the scientific explanation for the origin of the universe, stating that it began as a singular point that rapidly expanded approximately 13.8 billion years ago, leading to the formation of cosmic structures.
Page 6 - What was the “Big Crunch”? (TEST QUESTION)
The Big Crunch is a theoretical scenario in which the universe's expansion eventually halts and reverses, causing all matter and energy to collapse back into a singular point, possibly leading to a cyclic universe.
Read Me (TEST QUESTION): Describe the current scientific views of how the universe formed. How did they evolve?
The Big Bang Theory is the widely accepted view, indicating that the universe originated from a single point that expanded rapidly. This view has evolved with evidence from cosmic background radiation and redshift observations. Some scientists propose the Cyclic Model, suggesting that the universe undergoes repeated cycles of expansion and contraction.
Read Me (TEST QUESTION): Explain how scientific evidence has supported theories about the universe.
Evidence supporting these theories includes the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation, the observed redshift of galaxies, and the consistent predictions of the heliocentric model through astronomical observations and calculations.
Page 16 to 19 – What was Edwin Hubble's discovery and how does it support the Big Bang Theory?
Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies are moving away from us and that their redshift increases with distance, which implies that the universe is expanding. This observation supports the Big Bang Theory, as it suggests that the universe was once concentrated in a much smaller, denser state.
STOP - Review your notes for this lesson. Go back and complete any questions you skipped before attempting the quick check. Notes can be used to help you with the quick check questions. Remember, quick checks cannot be redone.
Lesson 5 Solar System Apply
Pages 1-3 This activity is optional.
Page 4 - Please upload this completed document as your sample work in the dropbox on the last slide of Lesson 5. To turn in this work, open lesson 5 and select “Assessment” from the right side of the course. Next, select “Open Assessment” and “Start Assessment.” Upload your digital document to the dropbox and click “Submit.” Sample Work is graded on completion and is 10% of your overall grade in science. This work is required.
Lesson 6 Solar System Review
Pages 1-3 SKIP → DO NOT COMPLETE THE REFLECTION
Page 4 - Complete the Practice Test
STUDY FOR TEST -
Read over your notes at least one time.
Watch the test review LiveLesson (posted to the message board for Science).
Lesson 7 The Universe Unit Test
Use these notes while taking the unit test. No outside websites or AI tools may be used to complete assessments (only your student-created notes). All Unit tests can be retaken if needed for full credit. The link to retake the test is on the Science Message Board.
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