oooo
oooo
BSL Version
o
o
- our milky-way – this bright galaxy is a single astronomical object, even though it contains billions of individual stars and is constantly forming new clusters of stars.
oooo
oooo
Objects in the Universe
oooo
oooo
- the universe consists of energy and matters irregularly distributed throughout the continuum of curving space-time, but most of the matter and energy is invisible to humans.
o - in the astronomical community, there are six currently accepted categories for the objects;
…… – star
…… – planet
…… – dwarf planet
…… – moon
…… – comet
…… – asteroid
o - now scientists think that the Universe is made of 70% dark energy, 27% dark matter, and about 3% ordinary luminous matter in the form of stars and galaxies.
o - luminous matter – this is clumped together in objects of varying sizes and densities – the term ‘objects’ refers to individual items that astronomers can examine through telescopes.
o
BSL Version
o
o
oooo
On Earth matter exists in three forms as Solid, liquid and gas
The main different between solids, liquids, and gases is how their particles are arranged and move.
The molecular forces between particles are strongest in solids, weaker in liquids, and very weak in gases.
oooo
oooo
oooo
oooo
oooo
- Solids
Particles are close together and vibrate in fixed positions, giving solids a fixed shape. Solids can’t usually be compressed because there’s so little space between the particles.
o - Liquids
Particles are close together but randomly arranged, allowing them to move around and over each other. Liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape, so they flow and take the shape of their container.
o - Gases
Particles are widely spaced apart and move quickly in straight lines. Gases have no fixed shape or volume, so they expand to fill their container. Gases can be squeezed and compressed because there’s so much space between the particles.
BSL Version
o
o
oooo
Solids
ice/snow
brick
wood
iron/copper
car/train
book/paper
chair/table
apple
Liquids
rain
water
petrol/oil
vinegar
paint
juice
tea
milk
Gases
wind
helium
oxygen/air
carbon dioxide
hydrogen
steam
fog
smoke
oooo
oooo
Objects in the Universe
Energy and matters irregularly
oooo
- the universe consists of energy and matters irregularly distributed throughout the continuum of curving space-time, but most of the matter and energy is invisible to humans.
o
o - in the astronomical community, there are six currently accepted categories for the objects;
…… – star
…… – planet
…… – dwarf planet
…… – moon
…… – comet
…… – asteroid
o
o
o - now scientists think that the Universe is made of 70% dark energy, 27% dark matter, and about 3% ordinary luminous matter in the form of stars and galaxies.
o
o - luminous matter – this is clumped together in objects of varying sizes and densities – the term ‘objects’ refers to individual items that astronomers can examine through telescopes.
BSL Version
o
o
oooo
Largest objects in the Universe
Group and Clusters of Galaxies
oooo
oooo
- the largest astronomical objects are galaxies, followed in terms of diminishing size by nebulas, stars, planets, moons, asteroids, comets and meteorites.
o
o - although galaxies are made up of many billions of stars, they are considered to be a single objects – this because their stars orbit around a common centre of gravity and have the same relative motion with respect to the rest of the Universe.
o
o - astronomical objects tend towards a spherical shape because the gravitational forces across the surfaces of a sphere are in equilibrium.
o
o
o - rotation tends to distort spherical objects into a discus-shape – the Earth, for example bulges slightly around the Equator.
o
o - objects of less than about 50 miles / 80km in diameter have insufficient mass to achieve a spherical shape, which is why the smaller asteroids all have irregular shapes.
o
BSL Version
o
o
oooo
oooo
oooo
Back to The Universe / next to Laws of Nature page.