Unit 11 Guide: Foundations of Earth Science
Stars and Galaxies
Key Concepts and Questions to Be Able to Explain and Answer:
1. What are the names and characteristics of the three types of galaxies? What type of galaxy is the
Milky Way galaxy?
2. Describe three leading theories for the origin of the universe. Which is the most accepted theory
today?
3. Explain how “red shift” can be used as evidence for the Big Bang.
4. What is the difference between absolute and apparent magnitude? Which would be brighter, a
magnitude 5 star or an absolute magnitude 1 star? Explain.
5. How can parallax be used to determine the distance to stars?
6. Which elements are stars commonly made of? How do they use fusion to make their energy and light?
7. How can scientists use absorption spectra to determine the elements that make up a star?
8. What is the relationship between a star’s temperature, absolute magnitude, and color?
9. What is the progression of stages in the life of a high mass star? A low mass star?
*Be able to use an H-R diagram to plot stars using their temperature/magnitude/luminosity. Be able to
identify the stage of stars based on their position on an H-R diagram.*
Assessments
Quiz
Date: _____________
*There will not be a Unit Test for this unit. There will be questions from this unit on the
final exam.*
Constellation Project
Date: _____________
Reading Assignments:
Students will be assigned readings from the following pages in the text book.
Chapter 25
pages 722-753
Vocabulary
Constellation
Absolute magnitude
Apparent magnitude
Luminosity
Light-year
Parallax
fission
fusion
main sequence
nebula
giant
Big Bang theory
white dwarf
H-R diagram
neutron star
black hole
galaxy
Doppler Shift
Red Shift
emission spectra
absorption spectra
supergiant
continuous spectra