the Sun and the collection of objects in orbit around it

a very large, spherical object in orbit around a star that has cleared the path of its orbit of other objects

a large object in orbit around a star that has not cleared the path of its orbit of other objects

a natural object in orbit around a planet

The solar system

Physics

Orbital motion of artificial satellites

Birth of a star

Stellar evolution

Observing the universe

The changing universe

In the Solar system and beyond unit, pupils learnt about the scale and content of the Solar system and the universe, and about gravitational force and the motions that cause days and seasons on the Earth.

This unit covers the solar system's features, including planets, moons, and satellites. It explains gravity's effect on orbits, the sun's formation from dust and gas, and fusion equilibrium. It also explores red-shift, evidence of an expanding universe, and the link to the Big Bang model.

Gravity in space

an object which orbits a planet; satellites can be natural (moons) or artificial

an orbit in which the satellite passes over the poles of a planet

an orbit in which the satellite is stationary in the sky as it orbits in the same time as the planet, directly above its equator

the path a satellite takes around the planet it orbits

a ball of very hot gas and plasma that emits radiation and is powered by nuclear fusion in its core

the process of merging small nuclei into larger nuclei with the release of energy

a region of space containing traces of gas (mostly hydrogen) and dust

a dense, hot, ball of gas formed by a collapsed nebula

the stable period of a star when it is fusing hydrogen in its core

a star which is fusing hydrogen in its core; these stars are stable for long periods of time

a larger, cooler, star formed after hydrogen in the core has been depleted

the white hot core of a star after its outer layers have escaped into space

an exploding star, caused by a gravitational collapse after the fuel is exhausted

an incredibly dense star, formed after a supernova

is a telescope positioned in space to avoid atmospheric interference and observe parts of the spectrum which cannot reach the Earth’s surface

is a collection of many millions or billions of stars held together by gravitational forces

is the increase in the wavelength of light (and decrease in its frequency) cause by the movement of a star or galaxy away from us

the increase in the wavelength of light (and decrease in its frequency) caused by the movement of a star or galaxy away from us

the theory that the our whole universe started in a hot, dense state, then expanded and cooled over fourteen billion years

cosmic microwave background radiation is electromagnetic radiation produced in the hot early universe which has since been ‘stretched’ to the microwave part of the spectrum.

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