Universe

4.1 Understand Earth's place in the universe.

a. Demonstrate knowledge of the evidence for the Big Bang model (e.g., light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, spectra of primordial radiation).

b. Demonstrate knowledge of how astronomical instruments are used to collect data and how astronomical units are used to describe distances.

c. Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that contribute to a star's color, size, and luminosity and how a star's light spectrum and brightness can be used to identify compositional elements, movements, and distance from Earth.

d. Demonstrate knowledge of nuclear fusion in stars, including the relationship between a star's mass and stage of its lifetime and the elements produced.

e. Demonstrate knowledge of the formation and structure of the solar system, its place in the Milky Way galaxy, and the characteristics of various objects in the solar system.

f. Recognize how evidence from the study of lunar rocks, asteroids, and meteorites provides information about Earth's formation and history.

g. Compare and contrast uniformitarianism and catastrophism.

h. Demonstrate knowledge of the regular and predictable patterns of movements of stars, planets, and the moon and their effects on Earth's systems (e.g., seasons, eclipses, tides).

i. Apply knowledge of how Kepler's laws are used to predict the motion of orbiting objects.