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Nature of science:
Reality: The systematic measurement of distance and brightness of stars and galaxies has led to an understanding of the universe on a scale that is difficult to imagine and comprehend. (1.1)
Understandings:
Objects in the universe
The nature of stars
Astronomical distances
Stellar parallax and its limitations
Luminosity and apparent brightness
Applications and skills:
Identifying objects in the universe
Qualitatively describing the equilibrium between pressure and gravitation in stars
Using the astronomical unit (AU), light year (ly) and parsec (pc)
Describing the method to determine distance to stars through stellar parallax
Solving problems involving luminosity, apparent brightness and distance
Theory of knowledge: The vast distances between stars and galaxies are difficult to comprehend or imagine. Are other ways of knowing more useful than imagination for gaining knowledge in astronomy?
Utilization: Similar parallax techniques can be used to accurately measure distances here on Earth
Important Ideas:
Size and Makeup of Universe
Parallax - Measuring distances in the universe.
What is out there?
What is out there?
Using the model to the right, (the full website is HERE).
Heliocentric model shows the planets with correct relative size with respect to each other but in reality they should be much smaller than the Sun.
Realistic model show them the correct size in relation to the Sun.
Open the SETTINGS window (gear)
From here you can turn on the following:
Planets
Dwarf Planets
Comets
and many other objects
set your position on Earth to Abu Dhabi or your home town.
Choose the the appropriate objects to answer the following questions:
Which planet has the shortest period of revolution (trip around the sun)?
In which direction do comet tails point? Why?
Describe the shape of the orbit of a comet or planet.
Why do the stars have a different position each day?
Do the position of the stars change relative to each other?
Do the position of the planets change relative to each other?
You can zoom in or out using the track pad of your laptop or use the slider, shown below, at the side of the simulation.
Are we insignificant?
Size of our Galaxy...
Size of our Galaxy...
Using the simulation: Our Galaxy in 3D, determine the answers to the following questions.
Use the slider at the top of the page to zoom out. It goes from 2 pc (parsecs) up to 50 Mpc (megaparsecs). Read the text at the top as you zoom out. The sun is the star in the middle.
What is the approximate distance between stars in our galaxy?
How big is our galaxy?
How far is it to the nearest galaxy?
How big is the local cluster?
What makes up the local cluster?
Another example of the size: The Scale of the Universe
Sample Problem 1: Determine the number of meters (m) in the following:
1 light year
1 Parsec
Sample Problem 2: The Local Group is a cluster of some 30 galaxies, including our own Milky Way and the Andromeda galaxy. It extends over a distance of about 1 Mpc. Estimate the average distance between the galaxies of the Local Group.
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