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Page 1: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

Is There Life in Space?Is There Life in Space?

Page 2: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

How do scientists study the solar How do scientists study the solar system?system?

TelescopesTelescopes RadiowavesRadiowaves InfraredInfrared VisibleVisible X-raysX-rays

Page 3: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

How do telescopes work?How do telescopes work?

Page 4: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

Arecibo Radio TelescopeArecibo Radio Telescope Globular cluster M13 was Globular cluster M13 was

chosen as a target for chosen as a target for one of the first radio one of the first radio messages addressed to messages addressed to possible extra-possible extra-terrestrials.  terrestrials. 

This message was sent This message was sent by the giant radio by the giant radio telescope of the telescope of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto in Puerto Rico, at a ceremony to Rico, at a ceremony to mark the remodeling of mark the remodeling of the telescope on the telescope on November 16, 1973. November 16, 1973. 

Page 5: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What is the Arecibo Message?What is the Arecibo Message? It will take 25,000 years for It will take 25,000 years for

the message to reach M13 the message to reach M13 and if any reply were to be and if any reply were to be received it would take received it would take another 25,000 years to another 25,000 years to reach Earth, a total of reach Earth, a total of 50,000 years.  50,000 years. 

The Arecibo message was The Arecibo message was more a symbolic event to more a symbolic event to demonstrate the demonstrate the capabilities of the newly capabilities of the newly installed equipment than an installed equipment than an actual attempt at actual attempt at communication. communication.

Page 6: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What does it mean?What does it mean?

Page 7: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What is the origin of our universe?What is the origin of our universe?

Big Bang TheoryBig Bang Theory: As used by cosmologists, the term : As used by cosmologists, the term Big BangBig Bang generally refers to the idea that the Universe generally refers to the idea that the Universe has expanded from a primordial hot and dense initial has expanded from a primordial hot and dense initial condition condition

Occurred around 13.3 to 13.9 billion years ago and Occurred around 13.3 to 13.9 billion years ago and continues to expand to this day. continues to expand to this day.

Page 8: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What Evidence exists for the Big What Evidence exists for the Big Bang Theory?Bang Theory?

First of all, we are reasonably certain that the universe had a beginning. First of all, we are reasonably certain that the universe had a beginning.

Second, galaxies appear to be moving away from us at speeds proportional Second, galaxies appear to be moving away from us at speeds proportional to their distance. This is called to their distance. This is called "Hubble's Law,""Hubble's Law," named after Edwin Hubble named after Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) who discovered this phenomenon in 1929. This observation (1889-1953) who discovered this phenomenon in 1929. This observation supports the expansion of the universe and suggests that the universe was supports the expansion of the universe and suggests that the universe was once compacted. once compacted.

Third, if the universe was initially very, very hot as the Big Bang suggests, Third, if the universe was initially very, very hot as the Big Bang suggests, we should be able to find some remnant of this heat. In 1965, we should be able to find some remnant of this heat. In 1965, Radioastronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered a Cosmic Radioastronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered a Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) which pervades the observable Microwave Background radiation (CMB) which pervades the observable universe. This is thought to be the remnant which scientists were looking universe. This is thought to be the remnant which scientists were looking for. Penzias and Wilson shared in the 1978 Nobel Prize for Physics for their for. Penzias and Wilson shared in the 1978 Nobel Prize for Physics for their discovery. discovery.

Finally, the abundance of the "light elements" Hydrogen and Helium found in Finally, the abundance of the "light elements" Hydrogen and Helium found in the observable universe are thought to support the Big Bang model of the observable universe are thought to support the Big Bang model of origins. origins.

Page 9: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

How did our solar How did our solar systemsystem form? form?

Page 10: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

Comparing the PlanetsComparing the Planets

Inner PlanetsInner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, : Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars (also known as Mars (also known as terrestrialterrestrial planetsplanets))

Outer planetsOuter planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, : Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune (also known as Neptune (also known as gaseous planets gaseous planets or gas giantsor gas giants))

Which Which planetplanet is largest? Smallest? is largest? Smallest?How does size affect gravity? Weight? How does size affect gravity? Weight?

Mass?Mass?

Page 11: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What other objects exist in our What other objects exist in our solar system?solar system?

AsteroidsAsteroids: Any of numerous small celestial bodies : Any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)(mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)

CometsComets: A relatively small extraterrestrial body : A relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit in a highly elliptical orbit

Page 12: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

Structure of a Structure of a CometComet Parts of a CometParts of a Comet

NucleusNucleus: solid part of comet: solid part of comet ComaComa: A halo of evaporated : A halo of evaporated

gas (water vapor, ammonia, gas (water vapor, ammonia, carbon dioxide) and dust that carbon dioxide) and dust that surrounds the nucleus surrounds the nucleus

Plasma (Ion) TailPlasma (Ion) Tail: Electrically : Electrically charged gas molecules that charged gas molecules that are pushed away from the are pushed away from the nucleus by the solar wind. nucleus by the solar wind.

Dust TailDust Tail: Dust particles that : Dust particles that evaporate from nucleus. evaporate from nucleus. Always faces away from sun!Always faces away from sun!

Page 13: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

Where do comets come from?Where do comets come from?

The The Kuiper BeltKuiper Belt is a disk-shaped region past is a disk-shaped region past the orbit of Neptune extending roughly from 30 the orbit of Neptune extending roughly from 30 to 50 AU from the Sun containing many small icy to 50 AU from the Sun containing many small icy bodies. It is now considered to be the source of bodies. It is now considered to be the source of the short-period comets. the short-period comets.

Page 14: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What is the Oort Cloud?What is the Oort Cloud? Comet orbits come in two Comet orbits come in two

varieties, long and short varieties, long and short period. period.

There are about 600 comets There are about 600 comets with known orbits. About 100 with known orbits. About 100 have orbits that lie within the have orbits that lie within the solar system with periods less solar system with periods less than 200 years. than 200 years.

The majority of comets have The majority of comets have long elliptical orbits that are long elliptical orbits that are randomly oriented in space. randomly oriented in space. These are the long period These are the long period comets.comets.         

These long period comets These long period comets come from a place called the come from a place called the Oort cloud. Oort cloud.

Page 15: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays
Page 16: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What are meteoroids?What are meteoroids? MeteoroidsMeteoroids: Small bodies that travel through space. : Small bodies that travel through space.

They are smaller than asteroids; most are smaller than They are smaller than asteroids; most are smaller than the size of a pebble. the size of a pebble.

MeteorsMeteors: Meteoroid that has entered the Earth’s : Meteoroid that has entered the Earth’s atmosphere.atmosphere.

MeteoritesMeteorites: Meteor that hits the Earth’s surface: Meteor that hits the Earth’s surface

Page 17: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

WHAT PROPERTIES OF STARS WHAT PROPERTIES OF STARS DO SCIENTISTS STUDY?DO SCIENTISTS STUDY?

COLOR (COMPOSITION)COLOR (COMPOSITION)TEMPERATURE: TEMPERATURE: REDRED, , ORANGEORANGE, ,

YELLOWYELLOW, WHITE, , WHITE, BLUEBLUEMASSMASSLUMINOSITY (BRIGHTNESS)LUMINOSITY (BRIGHTNESS)SIZE (RADIUS)SIZE (RADIUS)AGEAGE

Page 18: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

ANATOMY OF OUR SUNANATOMY OF OUR SUN Corona: (atmosphere)Corona: (atmosphere) Chromosphere (outer Chromosphere (outer

atmosphere)atmosphere) Photosphere: (inner Photosphere: (inner

atmosphere)atmosphere) Prominence: arches of gasProminence: arches of gas Solar Flares: Explosions on Solar Flares: Explosions on

surfacesurface Sun spots: cooler, darker Sun spots: cooler, darker

regionsregions Nuclear fusion: putting Nuclear fusion: putting

together atomstogether atoms

Page 19: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

HOW WILL OUR SUN HOW WILL OUR SUN EVOLVEEVOLVE??

MEDIUM STARS: RED GIANT TO WHITE DWARFMEDIUM STARS: RED GIANT TO WHITE DWARF LARGE STARS: SUPERGIANT, SUPERNOVA, LARGE STARS: SUPERGIANT, SUPERNOVA,

NEUTRON STARNEUTRON STAR MASSIVE STARS: SUPERGIANT, SUPERNOVA, MASSIVE STARS: SUPERGIANT, SUPERNOVA,

BLACK HOLEBLACK HOLE

Page 20: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

BIRTH & DEATH OF STARSBIRTH & DEATH OF STARS

NEBULA: Cloud of dust and gas where stars are bornNEBULA: Cloud of dust and gas where stars are born Black Hole: is a region of space from which nothing, Black Hole: is a region of space from which nothing,

including light, can escape. It is the result of the including light, can escape. It is the result of the deformation of spacetime caused by a very compact deformation of spacetime caused by a very compact mass. mass.

NEUTRON STAR: A neutron star is about 20 km in NEUTRON STAR: A neutron star is about 20 km in diameter and has the mass of about 1.4 times that of our diameter and has the mass of about 1.4 times that of our Sun. This means that a neutron star is so dense that on Sun. This means that a neutron star is so dense that on Earth, one teaspoonful would weigh a billion tons! Earth, one teaspoonful would weigh a billion tons!

White Dwarf: A white dwarf is what stars like our Sun White Dwarf: A white dwarf is what stars like our Sun become after they have exhausted their nuclear fuel. become after they have exhausted their nuclear fuel.

Pulsars: Rotating neutron starsPulsars: Rotating neutron stars

Page 21: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

How do we classify galaxies?How do we classify galaxies?

Page 22: Is There Life in Space?. How do scientists study the solar system? Telescopes Telescopes Radiowaves Radiowaves Infrared Infrared Visible Visible X-rays

What are What are cometscomets and asteroids? and asteroids?

CometsComets: collection of ice, dust and rocky : collection of ice, dust and rocky particlesparticles NucleusNucleus: Center solid region: Center solid region ComaComa: glowing atmosphere as the comet approaches : glowing atmosphere as the comet approaches

the sunthe sun TailTail: trail of burning gas and dust particles: trail of burning gas and dust particles

AsteroidsAsteroids: debris that did not form planets: debris that did not form planets MeteoroidsMeteoroids: smaller than asteroids: smaller than asteroids MeteorsMeteors: when meteoroid enters Earth’s : when meteoroid enters Earth’s

atmosphereatmosphere MeteoritesMeteorites: Any piece that hits Earth’s surface: Any piece that hits Earth’s surface