Space Exploration
The Solar System
The Universe
Earth, Moon, and Sun
Nature of Science
100
We can't even see most of this energy with our eyes, so we have invented lots of technology that can see a whole spectrum of this radiation.
What is Electromagnetic Radiation?
100
Jupiter has a reputation for protecting the inner planets from asteroids because of its massive gravitational pull. You will never see evidence of this on its surface because of this reason.
What is Jupiter is made of gas?
100
Stars are formed by gravity, but that gravity continues to affect other objects in space. Stars and other objects pull together other stars, gas, and dust, organizing it all into...
What are Galaxies?
100
In South Florida, the coming of winter is always joyous to me. This wouldn't be possible if the Earth wasn't a little sideways.
What is Earth's Tilt?
100
The universe is incomprehensibly large and it seems to be getting bigger. While we aren't 100% sure of this, we can become more confident in this explanation with enough of this.
What is Empirical Evidence?
200
Because humans can't yet study the planet in person, Mars has received these five robotic visitors named by American school children: Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.
What is a Rover?
200
Galileo Galilei was charged with heresy by the Catholic Church for his support for this now widely accepted model for the Solar System.
What is the Heliocentric Model?
200
Our Earth can only support life because it is at the "just right" distance from the Sun. In this zone, liquid water can consistently pool and support life.
What is the "Goldilocks" Zone?
200
Gravity doesn't just affect whole planets. Earth's oceans seem to follow just behind our moon, causing the sea level to rise on some parts of the Earth and fall on the others.
What are the Earth's Tides?
200
The Solar System is so big and spread out, we're going to need different ways of viewing it. Some are good at seeing the order of the planets, while others are good at seeing the differences in size. There will never be one that is good at everything, but we can always improve them.
What is a Scientific Model?
300
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses this orbital technology to track natural disasters like hurricanes and thunderstorms.
What are Satellites?
300
This astronomer was able to determine the organization of the Solar System with precise calculations, decades before the invention of the telescope.
Who is Nicolaus Copernicus?
300
The H-R Diagram maps each star that exists in the universe based on temperature and luminosity. As stars are plotted on the diagram, a pattern is revealed about each type of star and where it is in its...
What is a Star's Life Cycle?
300
Many ancient civilizations considered it an ill omen. Nowadays, people stare at it in amazement, but they shouldn't do so without proper glasses since they are still staring at the Sun.
What is a Solar Eclipse?
300
We may not have seen the beginning of the universe for ourselves, but we have a LOT of evidence that suggests that all matter in the universe came from the same point in space. We call this explanation the "Big Bang _____."
What is a Theory?
400
DAILY DOUBLE!
Probes like the Voyager I and II have used this strategy to go even faster through the Solar System and conserve fuel.
400
Pluto was reclassified in 2006 to this kind of space object largely due to its orbit that occasionally crosses into Neptune's orbit.
What is a Dwarf Planet?
400
You can't get a mean spiral off of it, but this old galaxy's shape makes you think you could.
What is an Elliptical Galaxy?
400
The Moon has different phases, but it is always facing towards us in the same way. This is because the Moon is ______, which means that the Moon rotates at the same rate as it revolves around the Earth.
What is Tidally Locked?
400
To understand the universe requires cooperation between many fields of science, but that doesn't mean we always agree with each other immediately. Interpreting results and improving our methods often requires some "professional arguments."
What is Scientific Debate?
500
Dr. Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space, flew on the Endeavor on September 12, 1992. This kind of craft has enabled scientists like Jemison to regularly conduct experiments in space and safely return home on the same craft that brought them up.
What is a Space Shuttle?
500
This planet's year, or orbital period, is shorter than its day. It also spins backwards.
What is Venus?
500
The universe is getting BIGGER! All of the galaxies seem to be running away from Earth and they all seem to be more red than the galaxies closer to us. Why is that?
What is Red Shift?
500
According to this theory, the Moon originally came from a planet the size of Mars that hit the Earth 4.5 billion years ago. Eventually, fragments from the Earth and this planet came together to form the Moon we see today.
What is the Giant Impact Theory?
500
Titusville, Florida was a popular destination for tourists to watch space shuttles take off from Cape Canaveral. After the space shuttle program was shut down in 2011, Titusville has struggled to financially recover as the city's ______ can no longer rely on NASA employees and tourists keeping it afloat.
What is an Economy?