Cosmology Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the age of the universe?
13.7 billion years old
What theory explains the origin of the universe?
Big Bang Theory
Who made significant contributions to cosmology with observations supporting the Big Bang theory?
Edwin Hubble
What type of radiation is a key piece of evidence for the Big Bang theory?
Cosmic microwave background radiation
What phenomenon occurs when light from a source moving away from the observer is stretched to longer wavelengths?
Red shift
What is the opposite of red shift, occurring when light from a source moving towards the observer is compressed to shorter wavelengths?
Blue shift
What effect describes the change in frequency of waves in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the waves?
Doppler Effect
What is the name of the largest particle accelerator built to study early universe particles?
Large Hadron Collider
What is the purpose of the Square Kilometre Array?
To build the world’s largest radio astronomy observatory
What are the two components of the Square Kilometre Array?
- SKA-Low
- SKA-Mid
Where is the SKA-Low located?
Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia
What does the SKA-Mid consist of?
An array of 197 dish antennas, each 15 meters in diameter
What is the significance of the cosmic microwave background radiation in relation to the Big Bang?
It is the afterglow/radiation emitted as a result of the Big Bang
What is gravity in terms of cosmology?
Force of attraction between matter that binds the universe
What is a light year?
Distance that light will travel in one year
What happens when hydrogen in the core of a main sequence star runs out?
The star cools and forms a red giant
What is plasma in cosmology?
A state of matter where atoms have so much energy that electrons are no longer bonded to the nuclei
What two opposing forces determine the structure of a star?
- Inward force of gravity
- Radiation pressure (outward force)
What is the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge of celestial bodies?
They possessed a deep understanding of celestial positions and movements, aiding navigation and seasonal predictions
What does ‘Emu in the Sky’ signify in Aboriginal astronomy?
It indicates a general calendar for predicting events in the world
What is the name of the Aboriginal legend that involves celestial bodies?
Tagai
What is the relationship between the distance of galaxies and their red shift according to Hubble’s observations?
The further away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving away
What type of signals does the Square Kilometre Array analyze?
Radio astronomy signals
Fill in the blank: The Big Bang theory states that about 13.7 billion years ago, all matter in the Universe was concentrated into a _______.
single incredibly tiny point
