Stars And Deep Space Flashcards
(14 cards)
What event marked the beginning of the universe?
BIG BANG 13.8 billion years ago
The Big Bang theory describes the early development of the universe.
What does RED SHIFT indicate about the universe?
The universe is still expanding (objects are moving away from Earth)
Red shift is observed when light from distant objects shifts towards the red end of the spectrum.
What would BLUE SHIFT/VIOLET SHIFT indicate?
Objects are moving towards Earth
This phenomenon occurs when light from an object shifts towards the blue end of the spectrum.
What is COSMIC BACKGROUND RADIATION?
Leftover radiation from the Big Bang
This radiation provides evidence for the Big Bang theory and the expansion of the universe.
When did our sun and solar system form?
4.6 billion years ago within the MILKY WAY GALAXY
The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy and is much older than our solar system.
What process do stars undergo to give off heat and energy?
NUCLEAR FUSION
This process involves the merging of atomic nuclei to release energy.
What diagram represents the life cycles of stars?
H-R Diagram
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows the relationship between the stars’ luminosity, color, temperature, and evolutionary stage.
What is the lifetime of a Sun-like star?
Approximately 10 billion years
Sun-like stars have a balanced lifecycle including stages like main sequence, red giant, and white dwarf.
What happens to massive stars at the end of their life cycle?
They can go supernova (explode)
A supernova is a powerful and luminous explosion that occurs at the end of a star’s life cycle.
What type of stars have longer life spans?
Small stars
Smaller stars, like red dwarfs, can live for trillions of years compared to massive stars.
What is formed after a supernova event?
Neutron star or black hole
The remnant of a supernova can collapse into a neutron star or, if massive enough, a black hole.
Fill in the blank: The universe is much older and bigger than our solar system by approximately _______.
10 billion years
This emphasizes the vastness of the universe compared to our relatively young solar system.
What spectral class is associated with the hottest stars?
Blue
Blue stars have high surface temperatures and are often more massive than other types of stars.
What is the surface temperature range of red stars?
3000 K
Red stars are cooler compared to their blue and white counterparts.
