Universe
What is the name of the galaxy that Earth is part of?
The Milky Way Galaxy
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The theory that the universe began from a single point and has been expanding ever since.
On the ESRT, what page lists data about stars and the Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram?
Page 4
What is the first stage in a star’s life?
Nebula
What element do stars primarily fuse during the main sequence?
Hydrogen
What force holds galaxies, stars, and planets together?
Gravity
What evidence shows that the universe is expanding?
The redshift of distant galaxies
According to the ESRT, what type of star is our Sun classified as?
A main sequence star
What process begins when a protostar becomes a main sequence star?
Nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium
What element is produced when hydrogen fuses in the Sun’s core?
Helium
What is the approximate age of the Universe?
About 13.8 billion years
What type of radiation is considered leftover energy from the Big Bang?
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Using the ESRT, what is the surface temperature of a red giant star like Betelgeuse?
About 3000 K
What happens when a massive star runs out of fuel?
It explodes in a supernova
What happens inside stars to form new elements?
What does the term "light-year" measure?
The distance light travels in one year
How does the composition of the Universe support the Big Bang theory?
The abundance of hydrogen and helium matches the Big Bang predicitions
On the H–R diagram, which stars are the hottest and brightest?
Supergiants
What can a supernova leave behind?
A neutron star or black hole
Where are elements heavier than iron formed?
During supernova explosions
What type of galaxy is the Milky Way classified as?
Spiral
Who discovered that galaxies are moving away from each other, supporting the Big Bang theory?
Edwin Hubble
According to the ESRT, what type of star has the greatest luminosity?
Supergiants
Why do more massive stars have shorter lifespans?
They burn fuel faster due to higher core pressure and temperature
How does stellar nucleosynthesis connect to you?
The elements in your body were formed in stars—“we are made of stardust.”