The Universe Standard: GLE 0607.6.1 Analyze information about the major components of the universe.

Lesson Objective Use given data about the universe to answer questions. Copy BLUE notes into your science notebook.

The Universe All objects and energy in space make up the universe. Believed to be: At least 10 billion light years in diameter and contain a vast number of galaxies Expanding since its creation in the Big Bang about 13 billion years ago

Quick Check Define universe. How wide do scientists think the universe is? How old do scientists think the universe is?

Stars An object in space that gives off its own heat and light. Many different sizes: Neutron stars-the smallest White dwarfs Medium sized- like our Sun Giant stars Super giants

Quick Check Define star. What are the smallest stars called? What are the largest stars called? What size is our star, the Sun?

Stars (continued) Mostly made of two gases Hydrogen Helium Use spectroscope to study the stars Determines colors given off by the star, then this info is used to determine the elements that make up the star

Quick Check What are stars made of? What tool is used to study stars? How do scientists know what makes up a star?

Planetary Systems A planet is a large ball shaped object that moves around a star in a fixed path All planets that orbit a star make up a solar system or planetary system Hundreds have already been discovered

Quick Check Define planet. What is a planetary system?

Galaxies A huge family of stars is called a galaxy. Our star, the Sun, is part of the Milky Way. Three main shapes Spiral-thick bunch of stars in the middle, with arm like arrangements of stars around it (Milky Way) Elliptical-spherical or flat disk shaped Irregular-no particular shape, less common

Quick Check Define galaxy. What galaxy do we live in? What are the three shapes of galaxies? What shape is our galaxy?

Black Holes A region of space in which gravity is so strong that nothing can escape its pull Black because even light cannot escape Area in which things seem to disappear Outer boundary is called the event horizon, where objects and energy only travel inward Detected indirectly by watching area around it Matter and energy move toward the area, then move faster and disappear

Quick Check Define black hole. How do scientists determine where a black hole is?

Beyond the Galaxies A quasar is a powerful, active galaxy located far beyond our own Intergalactic matter is material not part of galaxies, like clouds of dust Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock and dust roughly the size of a small town. When it’s close to the Sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a tail.

Quick Check Define quasar. What is intergalactic matter? What is a comet? How does a comet get its tail?

Lesson Assessment Multiple Choice: Short Answer Question: Answer 3 out of four questions correctly to show mastery of lesson content. Short Answer Question: On the back of your paper, answer the following question using a complete sentence: What kind of data do scientists use to find out what a star is made of?