Development of Scientific Ideas
Big Bang Theory
Fate of the Universe
Star Formation and Classification
Stellar Evolution
100
What was the prevailing scientific idea about the universe prior to the development of the Big Bang Theory?
The universe was infinitely old and static
100
According to the Big Bang Theory, what existed before the Big Bang?
The singularity, and nothing else
100
Theory that the universe will end with gravity pulling all matter back together into a singularity.
The Big Crunch
100
What is the name for the birthplace of stars?
Nebula
100
When will a star's core collapse?
When it runs out of fuel in the core.
200
What did Gallelieo have that other scientist before him didn't?
The telescope
200
How old is the universe?
13.7 billion years old
200
What is the Big Chill?
Heat death of the universe
200
Which color star is associated with stars with the coolest surface temperature?
Red
200
What sized star burns through its fuel fastest?
High mass stars
300
According to Kepler's Laws, what shape are orbits?
Elliptical
300
What is the cosmic microwave background?
The remaining energy from the Big Bang
300
How do we know that there is dark matter in the universe?
Galaxies are spinning faster than they should.
300
What is the apparent magnitude?
The apparent brightness of a star based on observation from Earth.
300
What type of star has the greatest density?
Neutron star
400
What is Hubbles Law?
The farther way a galaxy is the faster it is moving.
400
What element accounts for most of the atoms formed in the early universe?
Hydrogen
400
What do scientists think is causing the universe to expand at a faster rate over time?
Dark Energy
400
What allows a protostar to become a full fledged main sequence star?
Nuclear fusion in the core
400
Where do scientists think heavy atoms like gold, mercury and lead are formed?
Supernova explosions
500
The frequency of microwaves given off by deep space corresponds to what temperature?
about 3 Kelvin
500
As an object gets farther away from an observer, what happens to the parallax angle?
It becomes smaller
500
Why is the Big Rip the current front runner among the theories for the fate of the universe?
Evidence of a faster expansion rate
500

What is the nominal distance used for apparent brightness?

10pc / ~32 ly

500

What forms in 'the nursery' of galaxies?

Protostars

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