The universe
Definition of the universe and Components of the universe.
The universe refers to all of space and everything in it. It contains everything
that exists, from the smallest particles to the largest structures known. The
exact size of the universe is not known. Astronomers estimate that it contains
about 100 billion galaxies. Astronomers are experts who study bodies in the sky
or outer space. A galaxy is a system of stars, together with gas and dust. These
are held together by forces of gravity. Each of the galaxies has an average of 100
billion stars. The origin of the universe is explained through the Big Bang Theory,
which happened about 13 billion years ago.
The components of the universe
The Universe contains many components, which vary considerably in size. The
smallest components are atomic particles followed by atoms (mostly free
hydrogen and helium), molecules, dust, space rocks, comets, asteroids,
moons, dwarf planets, planets, solar systems, stars, black holes, nebulae, and
galaxies. Among these components the solar system is the most known with
certainty.
Solar system
The term solar system is defined as the arrangement of the sun and planets that
revolve around it (Sun). The solar system is therefore made up of the following:
the sun, planets including the earth, the moon and other heavenly bodies such
as asteroids, comets, meteorites, meteors, etc
The sun
The sun as earlier studied, is one of the billions of stars that make up the Milky
Way galaxy. It is one of the smallest stars in our universe. However, it is 109
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 1
times bigger than Planet earth. It forms the center of the solar system. Its
gravitational force keeps planets in their orbital position. All the 8 planets
revolve around.
Characteristics of the Sun
The sun as any other heavenly body, has characteristics that distinguish it from
the Rest of other components of the solar system. These are explained
hereunder:
➢ makes or emits its own light/heat.
➢ It has the diameter of 139,200 km.
➢ Its temperature ranges from 4000-9000 degrees Celsius.
➢ Its mass stands at 1.98892 x 1030 kilograms.
➢ It has a density of 1.4 grams per cubic centimeter.
➢ The sun is made up of hydrogen and helium.
➢ Its radius is estimated to be at 695,500 kilometers.
➢ It takes 25 days to turn once on its axis.
The influence of the sun on the Earth
➢ It holds the earth in its orbital position
➢ It contributes greatly in the balancing of the tidal bulge caused by the
moon’s Gravitational pull and the inertia.
➢ The sun is the source of the energy that is used by the earth and all that is
Therein.
➢ It engines the hydrological cycle.
➢ Supports life on earth through many ways such as creation of suitable
and Favourable temperatures.
➢ The sun influences the general climate at the hand of the solar radiation
Received.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 2
➢ Contribute to the formation of tides that support in one way or the other
Support ecosystem and man’s activities.
The solar system contains different types of objects including:
o A star: the Sun
o Planets: which go around the Sun
o Satellites: which go around the planets
Stars
Some celestial bodies that have their heat and light are termed stars. The Sun
is also a star. Stars are made up of vast clouds of hydrogen and helium gas
and dust. The brightest star is Sirius, also named Dog Star, and the most
nearby to the Earth is Proxima Centauri.
Stars are built from clouds of interstellar gases and dust. These clouds are
mostly of hydrogen gas. The bigger the star is, the shorter its life is. At an age
of 4.5 billion years, our sun is moderately middle-aged.
Supernova – Death of a Star
o This happens when nuclear fusion can no longer happen in the core.
o The heaviest element that can be formed in a star is iron.
o There isn’t enough energy for the iron atoms to combine.
o Once this point is reached the core will contract and the outer parts will
explode and send out a shockwave.
o That explosion is called a supernova.
o Supernovas can be a billion times as bright as the original star.
Read more about the Earth’s Atmosphere, here.
Constellation
o Constellations are clusters of stars that appear in a specific form.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 3
o There are a total of 88 constellations officially recognised in the galaxy.
o Most of the constellations are named after the names of the God and
Goddess.
o The International Astronomical Union officially listed around 88
constellations in their list in 1930.
Few major constellations exist in the universe that we are going to discuss
here below:
The Ursa Major:
o It is also known as the Great Bear and the Big Dipper.
o In the northern hemisphere, it is usually visible as the Bear.
o It is the largest northern constellation.
o It is also the third-largest constellation in the sky.
The Ursa Minor:
o It is also known as the little bear.
o It was one of the 48 constellations that were listed by the Ptolemy in
the early 2nd century.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 4
o It has been very important for mariners to navigate their pathways in
the sea.
o June is the best month to see the Ursa Minor in the Northern sky.
Orion:
o It is also known as the hunter and called ‘the light of heavens’.
o If you are in the Northern hemisphere, look at the southwest sky.
o If you are in the southern hemisphere, then look at the northwestern
sky.
o If you are at the equator or near to it, look in the western sky, you will
be able to see that.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 5
Leo Major:
o Ptolemy discovered this in the early 2nd century.
o The constellation may be seen from January to June in the Northern
hemisphere.
o It is the 12th largest constellation in size.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 6
Planets
Some celestial bodies do not have their heat and light, these are called
planets. The word planet means ‘wanderer’. The planets are named after
Greek and Roman mythology except for the Earth.
The 2006 redefinition of “Planet” by the International Astronomical
Union (IAU) states that, in the Solar System, a planet is a celestial body that:
o Is in an orbit around the Sun.
o Has sufficient mass so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium shape.
o Has “cleared the neighborhood” around its orbit.
Satellites
The term satellite indicates a smaller companion to anything. True to their
meaning, these satellites orbit around their planets and also accompany
them in their revolution around the Sun.
The Moon, for example, is a satellite of the Earth. It moves around the Earth
and also around the Sun along with the Earth.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 7
Asteroids
These are large rocky bodies in space, in orbit around the Sun.
Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, there is a swarm of small bodies
which also revolve around the Sun. They are called asteroids.
It is the debris left over from the formation of inner planets and also called
‘planetoids’ or ‘small planets’. They are the chunks of rock covered in frozen
gases.
Comets
Comets are the most exciting of the heavenly bodies. They are composed up
of loose collections of ice, dust, and small rocky particles. A well-developed
comet has a tail that is always turned away from the Sun. The head develops
the bright portion of the comet.
Halley’s Comet’ is one of the important comets. It revisits the Earth regularly
and is visible once in 76 years. It was last seen in 1986.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 8
As comets advance the Sun, they exhibit enormous tails of luminous material
that stretch for millions of kilometers from the head, away from the Sun.
SYED BASHIR AHMAD HASHMI 03450394500 9
