Module 5 Space Environment1 Space Environment Module 5

Module 5 Space Environment2 The Universe In The Beginning… A formless mass of dust and hydrogen gas cloaked in darkness Gravitational force produced huge gas spheres ignited by fusion and there was light… Stars were born

Module 5 Space Environment3 Stars & Nebula Our Sun is a star A Hot body of Helium and Hydrogen gas Nebula are huge clouds of gas and dust that have vague shapes

Module 5 Space Environment4 Galaxies Enormous collections of stars Our Galaxy is called the Milky Way Scientists estimate that our Milky Way has 100 Billion stars… many with planets

Module 5 Space Environment5 The Universe Everything we are aware of is a part of the known universe –Galaxies –Stars –Planets –Plants –Animals –Humans All made from the same elements

Module 5 Space Environment6 Space – the Final Frontier? The region of the universe beyond earth Great distances between significant bodies –Moon 240,000 miles –Planets 20,000,000 (Venus) –Sun 93,000,000 miles –Galaxies Light years A light year is 6 trillion miles

Module 5 Space Environment7 Constellations Groups of stars named after mythical figures, objects, or animals as seen from the Earth “The Big Dipper”

Module 5 Space Environment8 The Sun Center of our solar system Temperatures reach 15,000,000° C at its center Dark areas are sunspots -- cooler.

Module 5 Space Environment9 The Solar System Nine Ten Planets Outer – Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Inner – Mars Earth Venus Mercury

Module 5 Space Environment10 Our Sun as seen from the Pluto

Module 5 Space Environment11 Relative Size of Planets Closest to the Sun Furthest from Sun Largest planet Rotates counter-clockwise Atmosphere is 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen The “Red” Planet Pluto Neptune Uranus Saturn Jupiter Mars Earth Venus Mercury Sun

Module 5 Space Environment12 Characteristics of Space Defined as starting 62 miles above the earth Very few molecules (low pressure - almost a vacuum) No oxygen Very cold Little gravity (microgravity) Thickness of the atmosphere

Module 5 Space Environment13 Our Moon ¼ the size of the Earth Orbits the earth in 28 days Rotates on its axis once each 28 days –Lunar day is 28 earth days Far side never viewable from Earth

Module 5 Space Environment14 Meteors Meteoroids are rocks 10 meters or less, that drift through space. If it enters the Earths atmosphere it is a meteor. If it strikes the earth before burning up it is a meteorite

Module 5 Space Environment15 Asteroids Often called minor planets or planetoids Primarily inner Solar System smaller than planets larger than meteoroids distinction made on visual appearance when discovered

Module 5 Space Environment16 Comets Composed of frozen gases, dust and ice Have no light source but reflect sunlight Tail –shaped by Solar wind –always points away from the sun

Module 5 Space Environment17 The Universe A Wonder of God’s creation