1. Astronomy: Stars & Light

2. Astronomy: Stars & Light
SPACE is a very large area and for scientists to accurately and efficiently observe/study natural phenomena, different units of measurement are used.
AU = astronomical unit . A unit of distance equal to 93 million miles (distance from our Sun to Earth)
Parsec = measurement between two celestial objects
Light – year = The distance light travels in 1 yr
(9.5 trillion kilometers)

3. Astronomy: Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum consists of all radiation and energy which derives from our Sun and spreads out as it travels.
All ‘EM’ radiation travels at 186,000 miles per second (speed of light)
Each type of radiation has a different wavelength, which can increase or decrease the amount of energy.
The shorter the wavelength = more dangerous/harmful radiation
Visible light (white) is a mixture of different wavelength which control the color (interpreted by our eyes and brain) 400nm – 700nm

4. Astronomy: Doppler Effect
The Doppler effect is the changes to wavelengths as light or sound travels through space or air
The change of wavelength can affect the perceived color by an observer.
In astronomy – blue shift (compressed – towards), red shift is (stretched – going away)

5. Astronomy: You’re a Shinning Star
Our Sun:
Facts:
Contains 99.9% of all energy in our Solar System
Every second matter is turned into ENERGY – 4 million tons
Earth fits into ‘empty Sun’ 1 MILLION times
Takes hydrogen and produces other elements for the solar system to use
Axis rotation every 27 days
109 times larger radius than Earth
Light is produced by energy in the Sun, but takes 200,000 years to reach and escape the Sun’s surface.
Iron in a humans bloodstream was originally made in the core of exploded stars (planetary nebula)
Solar flares can reach 80 million degree Celsius

6. What’s in a Shinning Star:
Our Sun’s Anatomy:
Inner Core = main engine and heat production – 15 million C, hydrogen into helium
Radiative Zone = photon (beams of energy/radiation) moves through this zone
Convective Zone = convection currents transport heat through this layer (not hot enough to radiate)
SURFACE & ATMOSPHERE:
Photosphere = Light from the Sun is emitted
Chromosphere = Color sphere of the Sun’s
atmosphere. Sits above the photosphere
Corona = ‘crown’ surrounds the Sun. High
Temp
Prominence = hot charged plasma following
magnetic fields that are not released
Solar Flare = the release of prominences into
space
Sun Spots = cooler spots on the Sun’s surface

7. Astronomy: You’re a Shinning Star
Our Sun: Energy to fuel a solar system
Nuclear fusion = combination of elements under heat and pressure
Occurs inside the Sun’s core
15 million degrees Celsius
Hydrogen atoms are converted into helium and combine to create a molecule. Hydrogen is then released in this process..
Large volumes of ENERGY is produced from matter turns to energy and release of hydrogen
Proposed 5.5 billion years left of available hydrogen and helium ‘FUEL’ is left

8. A classification of STARS:
The life expectancy of a star is based upon its MASS (larger = shorter life, smaller = longer life)
Nebula = cloud of dust and material
Stellar nebula are the building blocks of newly born stars whereby gravity and attraction work to form the early stages of a star’s life.
A star is born - depending on the mass it can be part of the ‘main sequence stars’ as either small/medium or large star.
Once the hydrogen has been converted into helium, the star will begin to ‘die’ and expand into either a red supergiant or red giant (depending on the mass)
The thermal expansion out weighs the gravitational attraction towards the star’s core
Carbon atoms are created in the core as the star dies, other elements like iron are replaced in the core and create a repulsion shock wave which overpowers the force of gravity. Thus, creating a SUPERNOVA explosion.
Depending on the mass – black hole or neutron star; white/black dwarf are created (no fusion or energy released)

9. It all began with a big bang!
13.6 billion years old
Expanding universe theory from a central point and time
It all began with a big bang!