Introduction to Space Exploration (Part 2)

Introduction to Space Exploration (part 2)

The NITROGEN in our DNA, the CALCIUM in our teeth, the IRON in our blood, the CARBON in our apple pies, were made in the interior of collapsing stars. WE ARE MADE OF STAR STUFF. - Carl Sagan

Poll

What is the most abundant element in the universe?

• Helium (He)

• Hydrogen (H)

• Carbon (C)

• Nitrogen (N)

The Big Bang produced 75% Hydrogen and 25% Helium. Other elements are made in stars.

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​Origin of the Elements

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13873

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Multiple Choice

What is the study of the universe called?

• Astrology

•  Astronomy

• Cosmology

• Meteorology

Astronomy (តារាវិទ្យា)

Astrology (តារាសាស្ត្រ)

Cosmology

Meteorology​ (ឧតុភូតវិទ្យា)

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the theory that explains the origin of the universe?

• The Big Bang Theory

• The Steady State Theory

• The Ptolemaic Theory

• The Copernican Theory

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the force that holds galaxies together?

• Gravity

• Electromagnetism

• Strong Nuclear Force

• Weak Nuclear Force

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the process by which stars produce energy?

•  Nuclear Fission

•  Radioactive Decay

•  Electron Capture

• Nuclear Fusion

​After 70 years of research

On Monday, December 5th 2022, at 1:03 AM, researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab achieved “fusion ignition” for the first time on Earth.

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the galaxy that is closest to our own?

• Small Magellanic Cloud

•  Andromeda Galaxy

• Triangulum Galaxy

• Large Magellanic Cloud

• Andromeda is 2.5 million light-years away

• will collide with Milky Way in 4.5 billions years

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary force responsible for the expansion of the universe?

• Gravity

• Dark energy

• Electromagnetic force

Multiple Choice

What is the approximate age of the universe?

• 4.6 billion years

• 13.8 billion years

• 20 billion years

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy?

• Cygnus X-1

• Sagittarius A*

• M87

• supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center of the Milky Way.

• April 2019: First image of a supermassive black hole at the center of M87 galaxy released by Event Horizon Telescope (first capture in 2017). It took two years for scientists to piece it together from 8 EHT around the globe.

​M87 Supermassive black hole: 6.5 billion times the mass of the sun