The study of the origin, structure, and future of the universe'

1
Formation of the Universe

• The study of the origin, structure, and future of
  the universe.

Cosmology
2
Universal Expansion

• Most galaxies observed are moving apart.
• Raisin bread modelas the bread expands as it
  bakes, the raisins move further and further apart

3
The Big Bang Theory

• Theory that the universe began with a tremendous
  explosion
• 13.7 billion years ago all of the contents of the
  universe was compressed under extreme pressure,
  temperature, and density into a very tiny spot.
• Universe rapidly expanded and matter was pulled
  together by gravity to form galaxies

4
The Big Bang Theory

• Evidence
• Cosmic Background Radiation
• Radiation left over from the Big Bang
• Found evenly distributed throughout the universe
• Redshift
• Shows that the universe is expanding as a result
  of the energy from the Big Bang

5
Structure of the Universe

• The universe has a structure that is loosely
  repeated over and over again.
• Every object in the universe is part of a larger
  system
• Ex Star clusters make up galaxies
• Ex planetary systems may be found within galaxies

6
Age of the Universe

• How do scientists calculate the age of the
  universe? There are 2 ways--
• Measuring the distance between the Earth and
  various galaxies. (they can predict the rate of
  expansion)
• Calculating the age of old nearby stars

7
Forever Expanding Universe

• The expansion of the universe depends on how
  much matter it contains.
• Fate of the universe (Two theories)
• Closed Universe
• Energy from the big bang will be used up and
  gravity will begin to pull all of the matter in
  the universe back together again
• Open Universe
• The universe will continue to expand forever
  until eventually all of the stars die out and the
  universe becomes cold and dark