What Is the Sun Made Of? | Dr. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

The video discusses the sun's composition and the groundbreaking work of Dr. Cecilia Payne-Gaposhkin, who discovered that the sun is primarily made of hydrogen and helium. Despite facing gender-based challenges, Payne's meticulous research and analysis of sunlight led to her earning a Ph.D. and eventually becoming a professor at Harvard. Her work changed the understanding of stars and left a lasting impact on astronomy.

What was the common belief about the composition of stars before Cecilia Payne's research?

• They were composed of the same materials as Earth, like iron.

• They were composed of unknown elements.

• They were made entirely of gases.

• They were made mostly of hydrogen and helium.

How did Cecilia Payne determine the composition of the sun?

• By studying the sun's gravitational pull.

• By measuring the sun's size.

• By analyzing the sun's temperature.

• By examining the colors of light from the sun.

What are the two main elements that Cecilia Payne discovered stars are made of?

• Silicon and magnesium

• Hydrogen and helium

• Carbon and iron

• Oxygen and nitrogen

What was one of the main reasons Cecilia Payne's findings were initially doubted?

• Her findings contradicted existing theories.

• She was a woman in a male-dominated field.

• Her research was not published.

• She used outdated equipment.

What significant position did Cecilia Payne achieve at Harvard University?

• Director of the Observatory

• Dean of the College

• Head of the Physics Department

• First female full professor