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Dark Energy/Cosmic Times Kick-off Meeting

Dark Energy/Cosmic Times Kick-off Meeting. What is Dark Energy?. Dark Energy was discovered in the late 1990’s. Dark Energy is meant to explain observations that show that the expansion of the universe is speeding up. 1. Create a White Dwarf. A dying star becomes a white dwarf.

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Dark Energy/Cosmic Times Kick-off Meeting

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  1. Dark Energy/Cosmic TimesKick-off Meeting

  2. What is Dark Energy? • Dark Energy was discovered in the late 1990’s. • Dark Energy is meant to explain observations that show that the expansion of the universe is speeding up.

  3. 1. Create a White Dwarf A dying star becomes a white dwarf.

  4. 2. Dump more mass onto it The white dwarf strips gas from its stellar companion….

  5. 3. Until it explodes ….and uses it to become a hydrogen bomb. Bang!

  6. 4. Observe it in a distant galaxy The explosion is as bright as an entire galaxy of stars…. …..and can be seen in galaxies across the universe.

  7. 5. Compare distance to its velocity More distant galaxies recede from us more rapidly. Velocity These supernovae are more distant than expected. Space-time has expanded more than expected. Distance (via SN Ia)

  8. Dark Energy Comprises 73% of Universe “Normal Matter” 4% Dark Energy 73% Dark Matter 23%

  9. Dark Energy is an Unfinished Story WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS! But it traces the story of our understanding of the nature of the universe. • An ideal setting for illustrating the process of science: • Science is alive and on-going. • Our ideas change as the data changes. • Scientific debate differs from social/political debate. • Progress in science results from both individual and group efforts.

  10. Cosmic Times • Our “Cosmic Times” project will trace the understanding of the nature of the universe through the 20th century. • Start in 1919 with confirmation of Einstein’s theory of gravity (and its implications for the nature of the universe). • Continue through to discovery of Dark Energy, our current state of knowledge, and stepping stones to future.

  11. Scientific Threads • Our understanding of the Expansion of the Universe • Nature of Supernovae • The size and scale of the Universe A number of other themes will also appear. • Role of Women in early astronomy. • Impact of improved technology.

  12. Cosmic Times Posters “Newsletter version” for individual student use

  13. Goals for Education Materials • Science as process and Science as inquiry. • Science as a creative, subjective, and human process. • Nature of scientific “theories”. • Include appropriate science content. • Feature communication/language arts skills. • Capstone Activity - students write the next edition of “Cosmic Times”

  14. Going through the years …

  15. Roles • EUD GSFC E/PO Group: define the project, provide initial historical research, develop additional background material, design and produce posters and newsletter versions. • Trudy Bell - write the articles for the posters. • Educators - write lesson plans to go with the posters (2-3 lessons for each poster + a capstone activity). Provide feedback on the articles.

  16. Timeline

  17. Resources • Wiki page (password protected for editing) • https://universe.gsfc.nasa.gov/epowiki/ • Contains outline of poster articles and background material. • Articles from Nov 2004 Science Teacher on utilizing history and nature of science. • Articles from Feb 2006 Science Teacher on science and literacy.

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