The UniverseThe Universe

How big is it?How big is it? Where do we fit Where do we fit

into it?into it? Where is it going?Where is it going? What do you think What do you think

of when you hear of when you hear the word?the word?

Universe cont.Universe cont.

We are going to We are going to explore 2 main explore 2 main topics in this topics in this unit:unit:

1.1. Universe as a Universe as a wholewhole

2.2. The Big BangThe Big Bang

The Universe as a whole…The Universe as a whole…

The universe is made up of 2 items:The universe is made up of 2 items: MatterMatter- Particle with a mass that - Particle with a mass that

takes up spacetakes up space EnergyEnergy- In the form of E-M radiation- In the form of E-M radiation

Example: Light, Microwaves, etc.Example: Light, Microwaves, etc.

Believe it or not Believe it or not matter and energy are matter and energy are really one in the really one in the same; they are same; they are converted from one to converted from one to another using another using Einstein’s E=mc2.Einstein’s E=mc2.

REMEMBER: the total REMEMBER: the total amount of both amount of both remain constantremain constant

Measuring GalaxiesMeasuring Galaxies

To measure a galaxy you can’t obviously To measure a galaxy you can’t obviously use a tape measure, you can’t even use use a tape measure, you can’t even use milesmiles

Because of this scientists measure vast Because of this scientists measure vast distances in space with a unit called a distances in space with a unit called a light light yearyear• Distance light travels in one yearDistance light travels in one year• Do you remember the speed of light?Do you remember the speed of light?• Try and calculate the light travels in one year.Try and calculate the light travels in one year.• Ex: Alpha Centari is ___4.3__ lya. Ex: Alpha Centari is ___4.3__ lya.

Possible Origin of UniversePossible Origin of Universe

It is believed that at one time the It is believed that at one time the entire universe was shrunk down to entire universe was shrunk down to about the size of a pinpointabout the size of a pinpoint

This immense amount of matter This immense amount of matter (energy) is compressed into this (energy) is compressed into this extremely small spaceextremely small space

What do you think happens to matter What do you think happens to matter (energy) when you apply a great (energy) when you apply a great amount pressure to it?amount pressure to it?

Origin cont.Origin cont.

IT HEATS UP!!IT HEATS UP!! Trillions of DegreesTrillions of Degrees 100,000 times hotter then the sun’s 100,000 times hotter then the sun’s

corecore How do hot particles move, fast or How do hot particles move, fast or

slow?slow? FAST!FAST!

Origin cont.Origin cont.

These few particles These few particles are moving so fast are moving so fast that they can’t that they can’t even be held even be held together as atomstogether as atoms

They can’t even be They can’t even be held together as held together as subatomic particlessubatomic particles

The entire universe The entire universe is made of high is made of high energy radiation energy radiation called plasmacalled plasma

The Big BangThe Big Bang

Big Bang cont.Big Bang cont.

It is estimated today that about 14.6 It is estimated today that about 14.6 billion years ago all of the matter and billion years ago all of the matter and energy started to expand in a energy started to expand in a gigantic explosion called the Big gigantic explosion called the Big Bang.Bang.

When the matter and energy When the matter and energy expanded, it began to cool and expanded, it began to cool and particles began to slow downparticles began to slow down

B.B. cont.B.B. cont.

Eventually the particles slowed to the Eventually the particles slowed to the point where they began to clump point where they began to clump togethertogether

Subatomic particles were formedSubatomic particles were formed This continued to occur and This continued to occur and

eventually the first atoms were eventually the first atoms were createdcreated

Evidence of the Big BangEvidence of the Big Bang

Doppler ShiftDoppler Shift Cosmic Background Radiation Cosmic Background Radiation

Doppler EffectDoppler Effect

Johann Christian Johann Christian DopplerDoppler

WavesWaves• Sound-PitchSound-Pitch• Light-ROY G BIVLight-ROY G BIV

Expanding UniverseExpanding Universe In 1920 Astronomers discover that when a In 1920 Astronomers discover that when a

star is moving toward you it appears blue star is moving toward you it appears blue and when a star is moving away from you and when a star is moving away from you it appears to be redit appears to be red

Galaxies are not stationary, but moving at Galaxies are not stationary, but moving at great speeds and distancesgreat speeds and distances

Edwin Hubble began observing galaxies, Edwin Hubble began observing galaxies, he thought that he would see some blue he thought that he would see some blue (moving toward him) and others red (moving toward him) and others red (moving away from him)(moving away from him)

He found all of the galaxies to be red!He found all of the galaxies to be red!

Cosmic BackgroundCosmic Background Energy in the form of microwave radiation Energy in the form of microwave radiation

can be detected in all parts of the universe can be detected in all parts of the universe with equal intensitywith equal intensity

This microwave radiation is actually the This microwave radiation is actually the light from the early universelight from the early universe

Because the universe is expanding the Because the universe is expanding the light waves are stretched and appear as light waves are stretched and appear as microwavesmicrowaves

These microwave can be seen everywhere These microwave can be seen everywhere you look in the universe and with equal you look in the universe and with equal intensityintensity

C.B.R.C.B.R.

Our StarOur Star

Our Solar System is wrapped around our Our Solar System is wrapped around our star, you know as the SUN!star, you know as the SUN!

It is the closest star to planet EarthIt is the closest star to planet Earth Sun Facts:Sun Facts:

• It is 93 million miles away-1 AUIt is 93 million miles away-1 AU• It’s mass is 2.0 x 10^30 kgIt’s mass is 2.0 x 10^30 kg• It’s radius is 675,000 kmIt’s radius is 675,000 km• It takes 27 days to rotate, how long does it It takes 27 days to rotate, how long does it

take for the earth to rotate?take for the earth to rotate?• 1 million earths could fit inside of the sun1 million earths could fit inside of the sun

Stars cont.Stars cont.

As far as stars go the As far as stars go the sun is classified as a sun is classified as a medium sized starmedium sized star

There are many stars There are many stars that are many times that are many times largerlarger

Yet the sun is only 1 Yet the sun is only 1 star in a group of star in a group of about 400 billion stars about 400 billion stars called the Milky Way called the Milky Way GalaxyGalaxy

Stars cont.Stars cont. The Milky Way Galaxy is only one of about 400 billion The Milky Way Galaxy is only one of about 400 billion

galaxies each containing its own group of about 400 billion galaxies each containing its own group of about 400 billion stars.stars.

This doesn’t even include all of the planets, asteroids, This doesn’t even include all of the planets, asteroids, comets, space dust…comets, space dust…

The question you should be asking is then, where did it all The question you should be asking is then, where did it all come from?come from?

Life of a StarLife of a Star

Life of a Star-StagesLife of a Star-Stages Life of a star-picturesLife of a star-pictures

The Universe and GalaxiesThe Universe and Galaxies

GalaxyGalaxy MoonsMoons Galaxy 2Galaxy 2 Planet and Star relative sizePlanet and Star relative size