Universe Review '24

Front

What is a light year?

Back

A light year is a measure of distance, specifically the distance that light travels in one year.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

A supernova is the explosion of a supergiant star that occurs after it creates iron, leading to the star's collapse.

Front

How far away is the closest star to Earth in light minutes?

Back

The closest star to Earth is approximately 8 light minutes away.

Front

What happens to galaxies when they collide?

Back

When galaxies collide, their structure gets distorted due to tidal effects, resulting in what are called peculiar galaxies.

Front

How do astronomers study distant stars?

Back

Astronomers study distant stars by collecting data with telescopes.

Front

What is the significance of a light year in astronomy?

Back

A light year helps astronomers measure vast distances in space, making it easier to understand the scale of the universe.

Front

What are peculiar galaxies?

Back

Peculiar galaxies are galaxies that have distorted structures due to gravitational interactions during collisions with other galaxies.

Front

What role do telescopes play in astronomy?

Back

Telescopes allow astronomers to observe and collect data from distant celestial objects, enhancing our understanding of the universe.

Front

What is the process that leads to a supernova?

Back

A supernova occurs when a supergiant star exhausts its nuclear fuel, creates iron, and can no longer support itself against gravitational collapse.

Front

Why is the distance to the closest star measured in light minutes rather than kilometers?

Back

Using light minutes provides a more manageable scale for astronomical distances, as the vastness of space makes kilometers impractical.