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Space Systems
English
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Big Bang Theory | A scientific explanation for the origin of the universe, proposing that it began as a singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since. |
| Astronomical Evidence | Observations and data collected from the study of celestial objects and phenomena, used to support scientific theories like the Big Bang. |
| Light Spectra | The range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by objects like stars, used to determine their composition, temperature, and motion. |
| Motion of Distant Galaxies | Observations of how galaxies are moving away from each other, indicating the expansion of the universe. This is evidenced by the redshift of light from these galaxies. |
| Redshift | The phenomenon where light from distant galaxies appears shifted toward the red end of the spectrum, indicating that these galaxies are moving away from us and supporting the idea of an expanding universe. |
| Universe | The totality of all space, time, matter, and energy that exists, including galaxies, stars, planets, and all forms of matter and radiation. |
| Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) | The faint glow of radiation left over from the Big Bang, providing a snapshot of the early universe and strong evidence for the theory. |
| Remnant Radiation | The lingering radiation from the early universe, detected as the cosmic microwave background, which supports the idea of a hot, dense beginning of the universe. |
| Composition of Matter | The types and proportions of elements and substances that make up the universe, primarily hydrogen and helium, as predicted by the Big Bang theory. |
| Electromagnetic Radiation | Waves of energy, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays, emitted by stars and other celestial objects, used to analyze their properties and support cosmological theories. |
| Stars | Massive, luminous celestial bodies made mostly of hydrogen and helium, whose light spectra provide evidence for the composition of the universe and its origins. |
| Interstellar Gases | Clouds of gas, primarily hydrogen and helium, found between stars in galaxies, which contribute to the overall composition of the universe as predicted by the Big Bang theory. |
| Hydrogen | The most abundant element in the universe, making up approximately 75% of its ordinary matter, as predicted by the Big Bang theory. |
| Helium | The second most abundant element in the universe, making up approximately 25% of its ordinary matter, also in line with predictions from the Big Bang theory. |
| Scientific Ideas | Concepts or explanations based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning, used to understand natural phenomena, such as the process of element formation in stars. |
| Stars | Massive, luminous spheres of plasma held together by gravity, which undergo nuclear fusion, producing energy and forming throughout their life cycles. |
| Life Cycle of Stars | The series of stages a star goes through from its formation to its death, including stages like the main sequence, red giant or supergiant, and white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole. |
| Elements | Substances consisting of atoms with the same number of protons, which are formed through nuclear processes in stars, from hydrogen up to iron in normal stars, and heavier elements in supernovae. |
| Nucleosynthesis | The process by which new atomic nuclei are created within stars, forming elements through nuclear fusion reactions that vary depending on the mass and stage of the star. |
| Mass of a Star | The amount of matter contained in a star, which influences its temperature, luminosity, lifespan, and the types of elements it can produce. |
| Nuclear Fusion | The process that powers stars, where lighter nuclei, like hydrogen, fuse to form heavier nuclei, like helium, releasing energy and forming new elements. |
| Main Sequence | The longest stage in a star’s life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, producing energy and contributing to the formation of elements. |
| Red Giant/Supergiant | A later stage in a star’s life when it expands and cools after exhausting the hydrogen in its core, leading to the fusion of heavier elements like carbon and oxygen. |
| White Dwarf | The remnant core of a low to medium mass star after it has shed its outer layers, no longer undergoing fusion but still radiating residual heat. |
| Black Hole | The end stage of the most massive stars, where the gravitational collapse is so intense that not even light can escape, though the process contributes to the distribution of heavy elements in the universe. |
| Neutron Star | The dense remnant of a high-mass star after a supernova, composed mostly of neutrons, where some of the heaviest elements are formed. |
| Mathematical Representations | Equations or formulas used to describe and predict the behavior of physical systems, such as the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system. |
| Computational Representations | Computer-based models or simulations that use algorithms to predict the motion of objects in space, based on physical laws like gravity. |
| Motion of Orbiting Objects | The movement of planets, moons, and satellites as they revolve around larger celestial bodies, influenced by gravitational forces. |
| Solar System | The collection of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects orbiting the Sun, bound together by gravity. |
| Newtonian Gravitational Laws | The set of principles established by Isaac Newton that describe the gravitational force between two objects, which depends on their masses and the distance between them. |
| Orbital Motions | The paths that objects follow as they orbit around a central body, such as planets around the Sun or satellites around Earth, governed by gravity. |
| Human-Made Satellites | Objects launched into space by humans that orbit Earth or other celestial bodies, used for communication, weather monitoring, and scientific research. |
| Planets | Large celestial bodies that orbit a star, like Earth orbiting the Sun, whose motions are predictable using gravitational laws. |
| Moons | Natural satellites that orbit planets, such as Earth's Moon, with motions determined by gravitational interactions with their parent planet. |
| Gravitational Attraction | The force of attraction between two masses, which governs the motion of objects in space, such as the orbit of planets and satellites. |
| Kepler’s Laws of Orbital Motion | Three laws developed by Johannes Kepler that describe the motion of planets around the Sun, including the shapes of orbits, the speed of orbiting bodies, and the relationship between orbital period and distance from the Sun. |
| Phases of the Moon | The different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by the changing relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun during the Moon’s orbit around Earth. |
| Eclipses | Events where the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in such a way that one celestial body is temporarily obscured by another, leading to solar or lunar eclipses. |
| Tides | The periodic rise and fall of sea levels on Earth, caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth's oceans. |
| Seasons | The changes in weather patterns and daylight hours throughout the year, caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis and its orbit around the Sun. |
| Cyclically | Occurring in a repeated pattern over time, as seen in the regular cycles of the Moon’s phases, eclipses, tides, and seasons. |
| Moon’s Orbit | The path the Moon follows as it revolves around Earth, influencing the phases of the Moon, the occurrence of eclipses, and the strength of tides. |
| Earth’s Orbit | The elliptical path Earth follows as it revolves around the Sun, determining the seasons by changing the amount of sunlight different parts of Earth receive throughout the year. |
| Sun | The central star in our solar system, providing light and heat, and playing a key role in the cycles of seasons, tides, and eclipses due to its gravitational and positional relationship with Earth and the Moon. |
| Solar Eclipse | An event where the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on Earth. |
| Lunar Eclipse | An event where the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon and temporarily darken it. |
| Gravitational Pull | The force exerted by a celestial body, like the Moon or Sun, which influences the movement of other bodies and the occurrence of tides on Earth. |
| Model | A simplified representation used to explain complex systems or processes, such as the Sun’s life span and energy production through nuclear fusion, based on observational evidence. |
| Lifespan of the Sun | The entire duration of the Sun’s existence, from its formation about 4.6 billion years ago to its eventual transition into a red giant and then a white dwarf. |
| Nuclear Fusion | The process in the Sun’s core where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy that powers the Sun and radiates outward. |
| Sun’s Core | The central region of the Sun where temperatures and pressures are high enough to sustain nuclear fusion, producing the energy that fuels the Sun’s light and heat. |
| Energy Transfer Mechanisms | Processes that move energy from the Sun’s core to its surface and beyond, including radiation, convection, and conduction, eventually delivering energy to Earth as sunlight. |
| Radiation | The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves, including visible light, which travels from the Sun’s surface through space to reach Earth, providing the energy needed for life. |
| Masses of Stars | The amount of matter in stars, which influences their life cycles and energy outputs, serving as comparative evidence for understanding the Sun’s life span. |
| Lifetime of Stars | The stages stars go through from birth to death, which vary based on mass and composition, offering insights into the life cycle of the Sun. |
| Solar Flares | Sudden, intense bursts of radiation from the Sun’s surface, caused by magnetic activity, which can impact space weather and communications on Earth. |
| Space Weather | The environmental conditions in space influenced by the Sun’s activity, including solar flares and radiation, which can affect satellites, power grids, and astronaut safety. |
| Sunspot Cycle | An approximately 11-year cycle in which the number of sunspots on the Sun’s surface increases and decreases, correlating with changes in solar radiation. |
| Non-Cyclic Variations | Irregular changes in the Sun’s radiation output over centuries, potentially affecting Earth’s climate and weather patterns. |
Created by:
Ms. Torres
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