2. Latest Astronomy NewsLatest Astronomy News
Last shuttle missions:Last shuttle missions:
1) STS-1331) STS-133
Launch Target:Launch Target: Nov. 1, 2010, at 4:33 p.m. EDTNov. 1, 2010, at 4:33 p.m. EDT
Shuttle:Shuttle: DiscoveryDiscovery
Duration:Duration: 11 days11 days
2) STS-134Launch Target:2) STS-134Launch Target: Feb. 26, 2011, at 4:19 p.m. ESTFeb. 26, 2011, at 4:19 p.m. EST
Shuttle:Shuttle: EndeavourEndeavour
Duration:Duration: 10 days10 days
3. Latest Astronomy NewsLatest Astronomy News
Small Asteroid to Pass Within Earth-Moon System TuesdaySmall Asteroid to Pass Within Earth-Moon System Tuesday
A newly discovered car-sized asteroid will fly past Earth early Tuesday. TheA newly discovered car-sized asteroid will fly past Earth early Tuesday. The
asteroid, 2010 TD54, will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:51 EDT a.m.asteroid, 2010 TD54, will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:51 EDT a.m.
(3:51 a.m. PDT). Image credit: NASA/JPL(3:51 a.m. PDT). Image credit: NASA/JPL
PASADENA, Calif. – A small asteroid will fly past Earth early Tuesday within the Earth-
moon system. The asteroid, 2010 TD54, will have its closest approach to Earth’s
surface at an altitude of about 45,000 kilometers (27,960 miles) at 6:50 EDT a.m. (3:50
a.m. PDT).
9. It all started with…It all started with…
The “Big Bang” Theory…The “Big Bang” Theory…
Currently our best model to explain theCurrently our best model to explain the
origin of the universe.origin of the universe.
It states that the universe beganIt states that the universe began
approximately 15 – 20 billion years agoapproximately 15 – 20 billion years ago
in a very hot state that expanded andin a very hot state that expanded and
eventually condensed into galaxies.eventually condensed into galaxies.
10. The Big Bang…The Big Bang…
According to the Theory, allAccording to the Theory, all
mattermatter andand energyenergy in thein the
universe was concentrateduniverse was concentrated
into ainto a singlesingle point (no biggerpoint (no bigger
than the smallest part of anthan the smallest part of an
atom).atom).
12. The Big Bang and stars…The Big Bang and stars…
During the 1During the 1stst
nano seconds, the basic elementsnano seconds, the basic elements
formed: Hydrogen and Helium.formed: Hydrogen and Helium.
As a result, stars began to form by theAs a result, stars began to form by the
condensation of interstellar gas…condensation of interstellar gas…
HydrogenHydrogen
HeliumHelium
OxygenOxygen
NeonNeon
CarbonCarbon
NitrogenNitrogen
13. Interstellar gas and clouds…Interstellar gas and clouds…
These gases can form aThese gases can form a
nebulanebula – a cloud of gas– a cloud of gas
and dust in outer space.and dust in outer space.
These can be 100s ofThese can be 100s of
light years huge!!!light years huge!!!
14. What is a light year?What is a light year?
Since outer space is so HUGE, astronomers andSince outer space is so HUGE, astronomers and
physicists use a “Light Year” to measurephysicists use a “Light Year” to measure distancedistance
in space.in space.
Speed of light = 186,000 miles per a second orSpeed of light = 186,000 miles per a second or
300,000 km a second.300,000 km a second.
In ONE year, light travels 5,903,000,000,000In ONE year, light travels 5,903,000,000,000
miles (~6 trillion miles) or 9,500,000,000,000 km.miles (~6 trillion miles) or 9,500,000,000,000 km.
15. EXAMPLE OF HOW FAR A LIGHTEXAMPLE OF HOW FAR A LIGHT
YEAR IS…YEAR IS…
Andromeda Galaxy is theAndromeda Galaxy is the
“nearest” galaxy from Earth. -“nearest” galaxy from Earth. -
It is 21 quintillion miles away!!!It is 21 quintillion miles away!!!
21,000,000,000,000,000,00021,000,000,000,000,000,000
2.1 x 102.1 x 101919
2 – 3 million light years away!!!2 – 3 million light years away!!!
16.
17. Stars and Galaxies…Stars and Galaxies…
An accumulation of billionsAn accumulation of billions
of stars can create aof stars can create a galaxygalaxy..
There are 3 basic types ofThere are 3 basic types of
galaxies…galaxies…
21. Solar Systems….Solar Systems….
Within these galaxies,Within these galaxies, solarsolar
systemssystems can form.can form.
A solar system includes planets,A solar system includes planets,
their satellites, minor planets,their satellites, minor planets,
comets, meteoroids, and othercomets, meteoroids, and other
objects revolving around a centralobjects revolving around a central
star, such as our Sun.star, such as our Sun.
