Basic+Astronomy


 * SC.912.E.5.2** Identify patterns in the organization and distribution of matter in the universe and the forces that determine them.

Astronomy: Getting Started The objects in the solar system are the Sun, the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The Earth is very far from other objects in the solar system; so far that there’s a measuring unit that is equal to the distance between the Sun and the Earth. It’s called astronomical units and one equals to about 149,600,000 kilometers. The Sun and the moon effect the Earth together. Together they affect the tides; causing the difference in the high and low tides. The Sun affects the phases of the moon. Black holes, stars, and other galaxies could possible affect our solar system.
 * What object makes up the solar system?
 * How far is the Earth from other objects in the solar system?
 * Which objects in the solar system can influence the Earth?
 * Can you think of any objects or processes outside the solar system that might affect the Earth?

//By: Lily Hughes//
 * Astronomy: Activity 1 Digging Deeper Notes**

Astronomers often study objects far from earth using three types of measurements; astronomical unit, light years, and parsecs. One AU is the distance of the Earth from the Sun. Light years are used for distances to stars and galaxies. Parsecs are used to describe large distances; such the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way would be the Andromeda galaxy which is about 767 parsecs or 2.5 __million__ light years away.

**//By: Thomas Crutchfield//** __**//Astronomy: Activity 1 Digging Deeper Notes//**__ **//The Nebula Theory is the idea that the solar system evolved from such a swirling __cloud__ of dust.//** **//A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust probably cast off from other stars that used to live in this region of our galaxy.//** **//More than 4.5 billion years ago this nebula started the formation of the stars and planets.//** **//The solar system was formed in a swirling disk of material surrounding thne newborn sun.//** **//The nuclear fushion is the source of the energy from the sun.//** **//BY. Godwin Djokoto//**

I had never heard of the Nebula Theory. I find it interesting that our solar system could have all started from a small cloud of dust and gas(a nebula). With __the help__ of gravity and some spinning that little nebula created our solar system! It's just amazing what the world is capable of!! By:Morgan Mueller

I thought that this whole unit was interesting. I didnt know much coming into it but the moon phases and the order of the planets. I have learned so much and think its cool that there is so much out there and we are __learning__ about it! ~ Tiffany Kemple

I think that astronomy is a very interesting subject. I don't know much about it but i would

definitely like to learn more about the subject. Its cool that we are one little planet out of the

whole solar system. It just really amazes me! -Kory Sanders
I never knew there was a difference between an asteroid and a comet. They are both rocky leftovers from the formation of the universe, but comets are masses of frozen gases while asteroids are more solid. I find it interesting that the moon is covered in impact craters, its been taking shots from asteroids forever! -Luke Bickerstaff

=== I never realized there was so much to learn about our planet and solar system. Learning about the Big Bang Theory and when an asteroid could hit Earth are probably what I've enjoyed most learning about. I learned a lot about our moon phases and I think this unit has been very interesting. - Taylor Smith ===

===There are a lot of people who are skeptics about creationism, I'm NOT one of them. Learning about the Big Bang Theory and the Nebula Theory actually keeps REaffirming my faith in God. It's really interesting, I really have learned a lot from this lesson. - Elise Cortie ===

This Unit is what i have looked most forward to all year. I love learning about space and how it came to be from the theory of the big bang. Its hard to grasp how little we do matter to the universe. We are at its mercy for eternity and there will be a day when Earth is no more, but space will always continue to grow and will always exist. -Nick Mehler

**Basic Astronomy ** There are many fields within Astronomy. -Brittany Stocker
 * Cosmologists study the Universe as a whole, including its beginnings.
 * Astrometrists measure great distances.
 * Planetologists study planets within our own [|Solar System] as well as those orbiting distant stars.
 * Radio Astronomers use radio-telescopes to study the Universe.
 * Mathematical Astronomers who use numbers, calculations and statistics to explain the universe.