How was the Universe Created and what is it composed of?
For centuries, we have been asking the most fundamental philosophical questions such as "How old is the Universe?", How did it begin?, How will it evolve? and Are there other Universes? Scientists have puzzled over these questions and are starting to grasp the story of our Universe. The Universe is unimaginably huge, consisting of at least 140 billion galaxies counted so far and our best estimates suggest that there are around 100 billion stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, alone. Whoever can find the "right" answers to these questions will significantly contribute to the history of mankind.
So how did this unbelievable large universe begin? Are we really alone?
Core Learning Intentions
- Describe the main ideas behind the Big Bang theory.
- Identify that red shift, background microwave radiation and composition of the Universe (nebulae, clusters of galaxies, solar systems) provide evidence to support the Big Bang theory.
- Recall the components of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Identify that visible light and radio waves are used to study the Universe.
- Describe some of the problems in obtaining information about the Universe and identify possible solutions.
1.1) The Theory of and the Evidence for the Big Bang Theory
Task 1) The Theory of the Big Bang
Reference: CS5 Section 10.5) Science as a Human Endeavour - The Evolving Universe a) Watch the youtube video "The Birth of the Universe" and complete the worksheet given. b) Complete the practical: An Expanding Universe" c) EXTENSION) Complete the worksheet: An Expanding Universe. d) EXTENSION) read the article "Taxis in Space" from the ABC websire and then use this as a guide to write your own article for a science audience on the Big Bang Theory Here is an additional website if you need to read more about the Big Bang |
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Image: Nasa
These mirrors are for the James Webb Space Telescope. This will be a very powerful telescope that uses infrared vision to see back in time about 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies forming in the early Universe. It is currently under construction and due for launch into orbit around the Earth in October 2018. |
Task 2: Evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory
There are three main pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang Theory: a) Red Shift of light from Stars and Galaxies - Hubble discovered that the light from almost all galaxies was red-shifted. Conduct the experiment "An Expanding Universe" 10 Pearson Science pg 268 b) Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation - In 1965, Astronomers discovered that there was a background microwave signal that was coming from all directions in the sky. This is the radiation that was emitted billions of years ago when the Universe cooled down enough (after the Big Bang) to allow light to escape. It is an electromagnetic wave of about 1 mm in wavelength c) The Composition of the Universe - The Universe is composed of about 25% helium and 75% hydrogen. Calculations show that if the Universe started with the Big Bang then hydrogen and helium would have been formed in these proportions. This has then led to the composition of the Universe with stars and galaxies in clusters. |
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Task 3: The Aboriginal Creation Story
How did the world begin? How did the first humans get here, and why are we here? Every culture in the world has it’s own answer; every culture has a creation myth. Watch the video provided to learn about the Australian Indigenous people's answers to these questions. Then recreate the story in your exercise books using images to support your response. Responses should be no longer than 1/2 A4 page. You can also explore the different stories of creation from many cultures around the world using this website "The Big Myth". There is also a free app for your ipad. |
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1.2) The Form of the Universe
Reference: CS5 pg 324 - 328 and 333 - 338
Reference: CS5 pg 324 - 328 and 333 - 338
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Cosmology is the study of the entire Universe - what it is composed of, how did it begin and will it one day come to an end. Many cultures and religions have provided their own answers to these questions. The answers provided by scientists must match the observed patterns in data obtained by telescopes and other means. To begin to understand the current answers to these questions, we need to build our knowledge of the different objects found in the Universe.
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So what is the Universe composed of? a) Answer the questions on this worksheet to start building a picture of the sort of things we find in our Universe. Brain Cox also talks about how elements are made by stars. A great explanation in 3 mins in "Intro to the Wonders of the Universe" b) Let's take a journey from the Sun and travel out into SPACE. Discuss what you would see. |
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1.4) How Big is our Universe?
a) Our Universe is HUGE!!! Watch this video to get the VASTNESS of our Universe. b) Complete the worksheet "What is a Light Year?" Here is the website 'Discovery Education - Light Years' c) Here is a very interesting video that looks at the similar forms around us. It is called "Patterns in Nature" |
1.3) How has Scientific Evidence changed our understanding of the Universe?
Your group is to learn about the scientific discoveries made in 6 different years - 1919, 1929,1955, 1965, 1993 and 2006. At each laboratory bench, there is a Cosmic Times for one of the years. Your group must read through the Cosmic Times provided on each station and make notes in regard to the following three questions: 1) Outline the major discoveries discussed in each article. 2) Identify the scientists involved in each major discovery. 3) Describe the technology that was used to determine these discoveries. As a class, we will discuss the following BIG questions: 1) How has scientific evidence changed our understanding of the universe? 2) What are the effects on Science when there are changes in technology? 3) What important qualities do we need to develop to be an outstanding scientist? |
1.5) The Life Cycle of Stars
Reference: CS5 pg 329 - 332 Use the Information provided to create a poster that demonstrates the three different Life Cycle of Stars: 1 : Average Stars 2: Large Stars 3: Very Large Stars. A short five minute video that gives a very good explanation about stars and how their existence is a always balanced by gravity and nuclear fusion.
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Imagine what is would be like to travel inside a Black Hole ..... watch this video to see what it would be like and what scientists think would happen!!!!!
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The Future of Our Sun and Earth in 8 mins - blow by blow
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1.6) Looking at Star Colour and Spectra
a) Read from your textbook CS5 section 10.1) Stars and Constellations and make notes about the colours of stars and how this tells us information about three important things - their age, their size and their distance from Earth.
b) Complete Investigation 10.2) The Brightness of Stars using the torch light on your phone and 1mm grid graph paper which is found on the top shelf near the exit door on the left side of the lab if facing the whiteboard. This is an important activity and you will need to conduct it as accurately as possible if you are to obtain the correct graph. You should attempt to obtain at least 6 data points. The lab must be as dark as possible AND make sure that you place the graph paper in landscape position. c) There is even more information that we can learn about stars when we study their spectra. The spectra of stars is obtained by passing their light through a glass prism. This breaks up their light into its individual components. Humanity has long been looking at the universe and asking the big questions: How did it begin? How will it end? Cosmologists are searching hard for the answers, but where do they even start? The answer is light and star spectra. Pete Edwards in "What Light can teach us about the Universe" youtube video - outlines the six unique messages that light carries which, when put together, disclose a stunning amount of information to astronomers. NOTE: There are additional information that you can explore if interested - just head to TED TALKS - What light can teach us about the Universe - Dig Deeper! d) Extension Activity - Looking at Star Spectra |
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1.7) Why should society support scientific space research?
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Homework - Skills Revision for Assessing Reliability and Validity of Secondary Sources
Not all information on the internet is made the same. Sites such as Wikipedia, Answers.com and many forums are not appropriately peer-reviewed and therefore are more likely to contain inaccurate or misleading information.
When searching for secondary sources it is important to consider the following:
- Who has published the information?
- How recently was the information published?
- Is the information consistent with other published information?
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data?
Information is more likely to be accurate if the secondary source is valid and reliable. We can evaluate the validity and reliability of secondary sources by answering the following questions:
Evaluating Validity:
- Is the author qualified in a relevant field (we can often tell from the website e.g. websites ending in .edu .gov .org tend to be better choices than those ending in .com etc
- Is the publication recent and has any first-hand data been interpreted correctly
- Does the information in the source relate to the problem / question that you are investigating
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data (e.g. scientific journal articles are referenced)
Evaluating Reliability:
- Is the information consistent with information from other reputable sources such as scientific journals, textbooks and educational websites?
Activity:
Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the reliability and validity of the following sources. You should be able to state whether or not you think the sources are reliable / valid and then give reasons to support your decision.
Source One
Source Two
Source Three
Source Four
Additional Resources
1) SPACE - what is it?
In this visually rich, action-packed talk, Brian Greene shows how the unanswered questions of physics (starting with a big one: What caused the Big Bang?) have led to the theory that our own universe is just one of many in the "multiverse." Do you think there is more than one Universe? What do we mean about SPACE? What do you want to know about SPACE? This is an amazingly complex and interesting video of very very current ideas about space! |
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3) National Geographic Channel explores what we would find if we were able to travel the entire length of our universe in Journey to the Edge of the Universe. (approx 90 mins)
4) What are Stars? by Akila Jeeson-Daniel who is an Astrophysicist
5) What are Planets? There are just eight planets in our solar system, but there could be a hundred billion in our Milky Way galaxy alone. As we enter into a golden age of planetary discovery the possibilities are endless. Pushing out deep into space we are finding planets that are stranger than we could ever have imagined. From giant burning gas spheres to icy orphaned worlds wandering in interstellar space. So just how did they get to be so different? This video responds to all these questions.
6) The colour of stars - a link to a site which explores how the colour of a star tells scientists what it is made of.
7) The Life Cycle of stars - an activity to show what happens as stars move through their life cycle
8) More Information on the Life Cycle of Stars.
9) What you weigh in different parts of the universe - The Exploratorium
10) Seeing all components of the Universe requires Observatories in Space.
11) An amazing new documentary by National Geographic "Inside the Milky Way" (1 hour and 35 mins)
12) An in depth study of the Sun called "Dark Secrets of the Sun"
13) Wonders of the Universe episode 1 Destiny
14) A musical investigation into the nature of atoms and subatomic particles called "Symphony of Science" featuring Morgan Freeman, Stephen Hawking, Michio Kaku, Brian Cox, Richard Feynman and Frank Close.
15) Nasa's reason to explore space - Humanity's interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. The intangible desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided benefits to our society for centuries.
Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system. Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations. Curiosity and exploration are vital to the human spirit and accepting the challenge of going deeper into space will invite the citizens of the world today and the generations of tomorrow to join NASA on this exciting journey.