Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
Section 2.1: Early Space Explorers
Target:
I can explain the two traditions of thought established by Aristotle and Ptolemy that dominated
astronomy into the 1600s.
Define:
1. Astronomy:
Use the table below to list traditions of thought established by Aristotle and Ptolemy.
Aristotle
Understanding Space
Ptolemy
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Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
Target:
Discuss the contributions to astronomy made by prominent philosophers and scientists in the modern
age.
Use the chart below makes notes about the contributions of the listed prominent philosophers and
scientists in the modern age.
1. Nicolaus Copernicus
2. Tycho Brahe
3. Johannes Kepler
4. Galileo Galilei
5. Isaac Newton
6. William Herschel
7. John Couch Adams and Urain Leverrier
8. William Huggins
9. Joseph Lockyer
10. Harlow Shapley and Edwin Hubble
11. Albert Einstein
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Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
Use the boxes below to draw and label the geocentric and heliocentric models.
Geocentric
Heliocentric
Define:
1. Parallax
2. Degree
3. Minute of Arc
4. Eccentricity
Use the chart below to organize your notes on Kepler’s 3 Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler’s First Law
Understanding Space
Kepler’s Second Law
Kepler’s Third Law
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Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
List four theories from Aristotle that Galileo disproved.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Define:
1. Perturbation:
2. Spectroscopy:
3. Light Year:
4. Doppler-Shift/Red-Shift of stars
The next section is titled Entering Space. Based on your reading from this section do you think we
(humans) were ready to enter space. Why or why not?
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Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
Section 2.2: Entering Space
Target:
I can describe the rapid changes in space exploration in the 20th century from the first crude rockets to
space shuttles.
Define:
1. Ballistic missile:
2. Communications satellite:
Use the timeline below to organize your notes on changes in space exploration in the 20th century.
Year
Major Milestone in Space Exploration
(note the milestone and the country or persons involved)
1232 A.D.
1772 – 1828
1857 – 1935
December 17,
1903
March 16,
1926
October 4,
1957
October 1,
1958
August 12,
1960
April 12, 1961
February 20,
1962
July 20, 1969
May 1973
April 12, 1981
1986
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Chapter 2: Exploring Space Notes
Section 2.3: Space Comes of Age
Target:
I can describe some of the major trends in space during the 1990’s.
Use the table below to identify and describe the four major trends in space that characterized the last
decade of the 20th century.
Trend
1. Space International
Description
2. Space Science, Big and Small
3. Space Incorporated
4. The New High Ground
Target:
I can discuss recent scientific and commercial space achievements.
Define:
1. Commercialization of Space:
Short Answer
2. What are some of the key discoveries made during the 1990s with the Hubble Space Telescope?
3. Why are commercial companies becoming interested in space?
Understanding Space
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