Introduction to astronomy.pptVIP

Select grayscale option when printing * Calendars and astronomy Introduction to astronomy Select grayscale option when printing * Introduction The Universe is a huge collection of stars. Most of these stars are grouped together in huge structures called galaxies. Select grayscale option when printing * The Milky Way galaxy The planet Earth we live in is in one these galaxies, known as the Milky Way There are many others like the Andromeda galaxy (M31) This spiral galaxy is heading towards us at 300 kms-1 The Andromeda (M31) Select grayscale option when printing * What is astronomy? Study of the Universe beyond planet Earth One of earliest subjects man studied and is now one of the most exciting and rapidly changing branches of science New insight and understanding of our Universe brought about by technological advancements Select grayscale option when printing * Difficulties faced by astronomers The Universe contains billions of objects (galaxies, stars, planets, asteroids, comets, etc.) separated by vast distances We have no control over events in outer space We cannot duplicate those events on Earth Changes often take place over millions or billions of years, e.g. our Sun will take 10 billion years to use up its hydrogen Select grayscale option when printing * The light year (ly) Since distance between objects are so big, we use the light year (ly) as the unit of distance A light year is the distance light travels in one year 1 ly = 3 x 108 ms-1 x 1 year x 365 days  x 24 hours x 3600 secs = 9.5 x 1015 m How long does it take to call Mars? Select grayscale option when printing * The nearest visible star Proxima Centauri is the nearest visible star from Earth (not counting the Sun) It is 4.4 ly or 40 trillion km (40 x 1012 km) from Earth If Proxima Centauri explodes today, we will know about it only 4.4 years later Select grayscale option when printing * Looking into the past If an object is 7 billion ly away, its light must have taken 7 billion years to reac