Questions for Chapter 1

From the book

1. What do we mean by a geocentric universe? In broad terms contrast a geocentric view of the universe with our modern view of the universe.

2. Briefly describe the major levels of structure (such as planet, star, galaxy) in the universe.

3. What do we mean when we say that the universe is expanding? How does expansion lead to the idea of the Big Bang?

4. What did Carl Sagan mean when he said that we are "star stuff "?

6 Explain the statement ‘The farther away we look in distance, the further back we look in time.’

7. What do we mean by the observable universe? Is it the same thing as the entire universe?

11. Define astronomical unit, ecliptic plane, and axis tilt. Explain how each is related to Earth's rotation and/or orbit.

12. What is the shape of the Milky Way Galaxy? Where is our solar system located within the galaxy? How does our solar system move within the galaxy?

13. Distinguish between our galaxy's disk and halo. Where do most visible stars reside? Where does the mysterious dark matter seem to reside?

14. What key observations by Edwin Hubble lead us to conclude that the universe is expanding? Use the raisin cake model to explain how these observations imply expansion.

Other questions

Describe the picture at the head of the chapter. What does it tell us about the Universe?

Can you use the apparent brightness on an object to tell its distance?

Can you use the angular size of an object to tell its distance?