Beyond Earth Astronomers think that the universe began about 13.7 billion years ago. At that time all matter in the universe began to expand outward from a single, tiny point. Scientists call this expansion the BIG BANG. Since then the universe has been expanding and it still is. _________Solar System _________Earth _________Universe _________Galaxy

HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT‘S OUT THERE???? Light lets us observe the world around us. We can see objects in space because of light. Visible light is only one form of energy that comes from objects in space. Astronomers study different forms of energy to learn more about the universe. The electromagnetic spectrum is all the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

1.Only X rays and gamma rays are shorter than _________________waves. 2.The electromagnetic radiation with the longest wavelengths is ____________. 3._________________ waves are shorter than microwaves and longer than visible light. 4.The electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelengths is ___________________________________. 5.The wavelengths of visible light are _____________ than those of X rays. ultraviolet Radio Infrared Gamma Rays longer

A few examples of the instruments scientists use to explore space: Name of Telescope Purpose Hubble Space Telescope Has given us pictures of deep deep space—visible light Chandra X-Ray Makes clear images using X-rays from objects in outer space Swift detects gamma rays and X rays from explosions and collisions of objects

Why Use all the Multiwavelength Scopes?

Gather all the evidence! VisibleX-Ray Radio Gamma ChandraHubble Swift Very Large Array

N49 Supernova Remnant

The space age began Oct.4 th, 1957 when the Soviet Union placed Sputnik 1 into orbit around the Earth. This satellite (a satellite is an object that orbits or revolves around another object) was the size of a beach ball and had only a simple radio transmitter aboard that emitted a beep as it went around the world. This was the beginning of the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States, with each country trying to outdo the other in space exploration ‘firsts’. Sputnik 1957 Russian

The first American satellite, Explorer 1, was sent into space by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on January 31, Explorer American

Human exploration of space began on April 12, 1961, when a Russian cosmonaut—Yuri Gagarin--- orbited the Earth.

Alan Shepard was the first American in space on May 5, 1961 but an American would not go into orbit until John Glenn on Feb. 20 th 1962 almost a year after the Russian cosmonaut. Allan Shepard John Glenn Moon Mission

The space race went into high gear on May 25, 1961 when US President John Kennedy made the bold promise to send an American to the Moon by the end of the decade. After that, both Americans and the Soviets began serious work on ambitious projects to send people to the Moon. “ I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth.”

Before sending humans to the Moon, scientists had to know whether it was even possible to land on the Moon’s surface. Before the Apollo landings, there were numerous attempts to land probes on the Moon. A probe is a craft that never returns to Earth but sends valuable information back to Earth. The Russians landed one on the moon before the US could.

The space race culminated on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. A total of 12 astronauts walked on the moon and performed a number of scientific experiments while there as well as bringing back 842 lbs. of rocks. Although no human has stepped on the Moon since December 1972, it remains the only object beyond the Earth that humans have visited. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong

Both the Soviets and Americans have sent many probes to Mars looking for water or life: Mariner 4, Viking 1 and 2 (first to land on Mars), Opportunity, Curiosity are just the names of a few. The US has been at the forefront of exploring the outer Solar System with different probes: Voyager 1 and 2, (Jupiter & Saturn) Cassini (Saturn) and Galileo (Jupiter). Voyager 1976 Outer Planets Galileo 1989

The US followed up the Apollo spacecraft with the Space Shuttle, which flew 135 missions from 1981 until Space Shuttle 1981

The Shuttle launched satellites, probes, the Hubble Space Telescope (launched in 1990) and built most of the ISS (International Space Station-a crew of 6) which provides a huge laboratory for scientists to conduct research in space. Right now the only way to get into space is the Russian Soyuz capsule. China became the 3 rd country in 2003 to put humans into space. Hubble Space Telescope 1990

Human presence in space has gone from visiting space for short periods to long-term presence in space on board space stations. Space stations are facilities that allow humans to spend long periods of time in space (sometimes over a year) to conduct research. ISS International Space Station

Inside the ISS

The Russians were the first to launch a space station and to this day they hold the longest record for living in space—438 days on the Mir space station. The United States sent its first space station, Skylab, into orbit in 1973 but it was abandoned in 1974 and fell to Earth 5 years later, killing a cow in Australia upon landing.

A few of NASA inventions that have been passed on to the public: Invisible Braces Scratch resistant lenses Memory Foam Ear Thermometer Shoe Insoles Long Distance Telecommunications Adjustable Smoke Detectors Safety Grooving on Roads Cordless Tools Water Filters It was a satellite from NASA that discovered the hole in the ozone layer by accident!!