1. 1.0 - Space Exploration “Human understanding of both Earth and space has changed over time”
In Topic 1 you will learn about the following key concepts:
technologies for space exploration and observation
reference frames for describing the position and motion of bodies in space.
distribution of matter through space
composition and characteristics of bodies in space
For Web links relating to 1.0, visit
Username: SESscience
Password: student

2. 1.1 Early Views About the Cosmos
Objects in the sky have fascinated humans throughout history.
They fuelled the human imagination, marked the passage of time, and foretold the changes in seasons.
Early knowledge of them was passed from generation to generation and from culture to culture, often as legends and folklore.
INFO BIT
One-Mitt Measure
Inuit in the high arctic
traditionally used the
width of a mitt held at
arm’s length to gauge
the height of the Sun
above the horizon. When
the Sun rose to a height
of one-mitt width, it
meant that seal pups
would be born in two
lunar cycles.
Figure 1.1 The First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest thought the night sky was a pattern
on a great blanket overhead. The blanket, they believed, was held up by a spinning “world pole,” the
bottom of which rested on the chest of a woman underground named Stone Ribs.

3. Tracking Cosmological Events – pg. 372
Our ancestors tracked two very special annual events:
Summer solstice
June 21
longest day of the year
Marks the beginning of summer
Winter solstice
December 21
It marks the shortest day of the year
Beginning of winter
“Solstice” is Latin for:
sol meaning sun, and
stice meaning stop.
The earth is actually closer to the sun during the winter solstice however the earth is tilted away from the suns direct rays.

4. The Solstices Where the Sun Stops
Summer Solstice June 21
Winter Solstice Dec. 21
Which part of the world is receiving direct rays?
Which part of the world is receiving indirect rays?
Which part of the world is receiving direct rays?
Which part of the world is receiving indirect rays?
What causes the differenct seasons on earth?
More animations click here

5. 1.1 Ancient Views About the Cosmos - continued
Prediction of the approach of summer and winter was important to early peoples. Why?
many ancient civilizations built huge monuments to honour their beliefs about the change.
The Ancient Celts set up megaliths, in concentric circles, at Stonehenge to mark the winter and summer solstices.
Ancient African cultures set large rock pillars into patterns to predict the timing of the solstices as well.

6. 1.1 Ancient Views About the Cosmos - continued
Another phenomenon honoured by early cultures was the equinox
Spring Equinox - March 21
Fall Equinox - September 22
“equinox” is Latin for:
equi meaning equal, and
nox meaning night.
At the equinox, day and night are of equal length.
The Mayans of Central America built an enormous cylinder-shaped tower at Chichén Itzá in about A.D to celebrate the occurrence of the two equinoxes.
Movie Clip
“At mid afternoon on the days of the Equinox the shadow that covers the northeast angle of the pyramid is reflected on the stairway and forms triangles of light and shade that imitates the movement of a serpent”

7. 1.1 Ancient Views About the Cosmos - continued
The ancient Egyptians built pyramids to align with the seasonal position of certain stars.
The entrance passage of Khufu, the Great Pyramid at Giza, once lined up with Thuban
Thuban was the closest star showing true north.

8. 1.1 Ancient Views About the Cosmos
Planetary Motion
For as long as people have been watching the nightly promenade of stars and planets, they have sought ways of explaining the motions they observed.
Everything in the sky appears to be in motion. The Sun rises and sets. The Moon, in its ever-changing phases, travels across the sky.
Geocentric Model – Movie Clip
Earth-centred “earth is the centre of the universe”
About 2000 years ago
Greek philosopher Aristotle
Had help from Pythagoras and Euclid
Theory lasted for 2000 years.

9. Geocentric Model of Planetary Motion

10. 1.1 Ancient Views About the Cosmos Planetary Motion – Continued
Heliocentric Model – “Sun Centred”
1530 – polish astronomer Nicholas Copernicus
Was a more simplistic model.
Suggested the Sun was the centre
100 years later the invention of the telescope supported Copernicus’ theory!
Movie clip
Galileo of Galilei of Italy
1600’s was the first to view many new objects in space, includes moons on Jupiter, sun spots and the rings of Venus.
Johannes Kepler Danish astronomer came up with the next piece of the puzzle.
The orbits of the planet were not circular but elliptical
More cool clips (must be connected to internet)

11. Heliocentric Model of Planetary Motion
Elliptical Orbit

12. Homework Assignment – Check & Reflect Page 376 Q 1-7 & 9
1. Define solstice. What are the significant dates associated with the
solstices in the northern hemisphere?
2. What was the ancient monument of Stonehenge believed to be used
for?
3. What word is used to describe the times when the length of day equals
the length of night? When do these occur?
4. List and describe three monuments built by ancient people to honour
celestial bodies.
Connect Your Understanding
5. What did the summer and winter solstices indicate to ancient people?
6. Explain the main difference between the heliocentric model of the
solar system and the geocentric model.
7. Why was the change from a geocentric model to a heliocentric model
considered such a revolutionary idea?