The Universe - Galaxies & Stars Flashcards
What is a Blue Giant?
A large, hot star - this the brightest type of star
What are the four main types of galaxies?
Elliptical, spiral, barred-spiral, and irregular
What is a Red Giant?
A large red star with a cooler outer layer.
What is a Red Dwarf?
A cool small star that lives a long time
What is a Red Dwarf?
A cool, small star that lives a long time
What is a White Dwarf?
A white dwarf is a very cool small star.
What is a Black Hole?
A star that has collapsed on itself-no light can escape a black hole.
What is a star?
A large sphere of gases - mostly hydrogen and helium - which gives off heat and light.
What is a nebulae?
Swirling clouds of gases and dust which are the birthplace of stars.
What is a galaxy?
A large system of stars, dust, gas and empty space held together by gravity.
How can we see other galaxies?
We can see other galaxies through high-powered telescopes.
How do astronomers measure distances in the universe?
Within our solar system, astronomers use the Astronomical Unit (AU) to measure distant objects in the universe. The AU = distance between Earth and the Sun. Outside of our solar system, astronomers measure things in light years. A light year is the distance that light travels in one year.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
Many astronomers believe that there was a huge explosion that created a large amount of energy that turned into the basic elements that form our universe. Gravity pulled the elements together in ways that formed galaxies and stars.
What evidence supports the Big Bang Theory?
Galaxies moving apart supports the Big Bang Theory because it suggests that they were once close together.
What types of energy do stars produce?
Stars produce heat energy, light energy, UV rays and X-rays.
What does a star’s light tell us about the star?
A stars light tells us what the star is made of, how big it is and how hot it is.
What do all stars have in common (what are stars made of and how are they born)?
All stars a born from nebulae (small clouds of gas and dust) and all stars start with hydrogen that converts to helium.
What happens to stars when they die?
When a big star dies, the inner core continues to collapse until it eventually forms a black hole. In smaller stars the core forms a neutron star.
What are the Constellations of the Zodiac?
1) Aries; 2) Cancer; 3) Capricorn; 4) Gemini; 5) Leo; 6) Libra; 7) Pices; 8) Sagittarius; 9) Scorpio; 10) Taurus; and 11) Virgo
What are other names for the constellations Ursa Minor and Ursa Major?
Little Bear and Little Dipper – Ursa Minor
Big Bear and Big Dipper – Ursa Major
