P2h The Big Bang
Our Universe
What it is like, how it started, how it evolved to its current state, and
how it will end
Today we will talk about:
First, let’s look at some of the objects we might find if we explored our Universe
Where do we live?
Where is the Earth?
The Solar System
Q: What is a STAR?
Our Sun is a star!
What is this?
What is it made of?
MANY STARS
MANY STARS
SOME SUN-LIKE
You are here!
Our Galaxy from the Earth
Galaxies: Hubble Space telescope image
‘Zoom out’ - galaxies form filaments and voids
IN THE BEGINNING…….
EVERYTHING!
EVERYTHING!
EVERYTHING!
ENERGY INCREASING, BECOMING LIKE A BOMB…….
STARTS EXPANDING…..
Tick tick tick……
BOOM!
COSMIC ‘SOUP’
PROTONNEUTRON
ELECTRON
COSMIC ‘SOUP’
• Universe much cooler, atoms start to form…..
• Hydrogen, Helium, normal ‘stuff’
300,000 Years Later…..
Universe is now a GAS
Universe is now a GAS
HYDROGEN
HELIUM
GRAVITY!
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Gravitational Collapse
Gravitational Collapse
If we could view the Universe from outside, if would look like this:
But we are inside one of these galaxies, so all we see are the nearby stars. We can see other galaxies if we use a telescope
The Gemini Telescope
What have we learnt?
• The Universe started with a BIG BANG
• Gradually the particles were drawn together under GRAVITY to form STARS and GALAXIES
• Many stars have planets around them
• The fate of the Universe is uncertain…
Big Bang - Tasks
Discuss & do in Pairs
1. Design a time-line of events since the Big Bang
2. What evidence is there to support the Big Bang theory?
3. Decide on 2 non-fact-based questions to ask the rest of the class on this topic
Research and Discussion Points
Research and Discussion Points
• What was there before the Big Bang?
• What caused the Big Bang?
• How big is the Universe?
• Will the Universe keep expanding?
THE END?