Exploring the Variable Luminosity of Star Systems.
Exploring the Variable Luminosity of a Star System "...variable stars have attracted the interest of amateur and professional astronomers alike for many decades." [1] When we look at the Universe we find that there are a seemingly innumerate number of stars, which vary in size, colour and luminosity. These variations are often due to the mass of the star, or what stage the star is in its lifetime. As a star ages its mass and luminosity will change, over periods of millions of years. However, when we look at stars in the night sky we find that a minority vary their luminosity over a period of days to a few weeks. These particular stars are catalogued as Variable Stars i.e. stars which vary in brightness. This can then be measured and be given a numerical value, in which we can compare the data, over a period of a few nights. If a variable star is close enough, then it is actually possible to visually see the difference. Variable stars are classified into two main categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. It is classified as extrinsic if the variability is caused by external factors; often binary stars or large planets, which eclipse the light in the star system. The intrinsic classification is given to stars that physically change or where a stellar event occurs, such as a stellar flare. [2]
Black Holes
Research & Report Black Holes Contents Introduction 3 What is a Black hole? 4 Formation of Black Holes 4 Features of Black Holes 6 Discovering Black Holes 8 Where are they? 9 What would happen if an object falls into a black hole? 9 Theory of general relativity 10 Hawking Radiation 11 Evaluation & Conclusion 12 Bibliography/Reference 13 Appendix 14 Introduction For my research and report coursework topic I chose black hole as I've done a research on black holes for a presentation in the past so it would be fairly straightforward to do, and my current knowledge about black holes would help me to complete this coursework a lot easier. Moreover, I was always interested in astronomy, which includes black holes therefore doing a research and report coursework would enable me to expand ideas and knowledge. The fact that people are able to observe and analyse black holes in the boundless space also stimulated me to choose this topic because I was always curious about how people can analyse when black holes are millions of light-years away from where we live and unable to see. Also I wish to find out more about why there are so many theories associated with black holes and how the astronomers ended up making theories of their own, which are different to each other. I will be doing my researches on different areas of black holes. Firstly, I will find out how black
The aim of this project is to investigate current theories and experimental data which give an indication of three fates of the universe
What is the fate of the universe? Tim Sainsbury BSC The aim of this project is to investigate current theories and experimental data which give an indication of three fates of the universe. The question about the ultimate fate of the universe was first thought about with the discovery of an expanding universe. This was proposed by Edwin Hubble after his work on investigating the relationship between stars distance and their velocity using Doppler shift. The findings of Hubble which are now a universally accepted fact that the further away a star is the greater the velocity, implying the universe all started in place the big bang. Once the universe was known to have started in one place, it was implied therefore that the universe must of have had definite starting point in time, this was opposite to the view that the universe was static and would exist in its present form forever. For virtually all of human history cosmological question like this were mythology or guesswork, now thanks to huge increases in technology and scientific knowledge it has been possible to question previous held beliefs about the nature and content of the universe. Numerous experiments and observations of the universe have started massing large amounts of information from distant stars and other objects in the universe. There are too many to list here in this report, I have decided to focus on 2
Black Holes - Do they exist and if so what effect could they have on us?
Black Holes; Do They Exist And If So What Effect Could They Have On US? B lack Holes, a story for science fiction or is there truth behind their existence. These astrological anomalies are still a wonder to the greatest scientists in the world and not yet identified to truly exist. During this investigation I will be looking into the way in which ideas of Black Holes existence have developed over the years. Furthermore this investigation will also look into the ways in which a Black Hole can be identified and if so; what effects they would have on us. F irst, the question of "What is a Black Hole" needs to be answered. In simple terms a Black Hole is a region of space that has so much mass concentrated in it that there is no way for a nearby object to escape its gravitational pull. Black Holes were once thought to be the monsters of the Universe, devouring everything around them in a frenzied cosmic feast. Black Holes are regions of space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape, making them impossible to see. But we can see the debris that is being sucked in to these collapsed stars. Anything that approaches a Black Hole is first torn apart by it's immense gravitational force and then forms a flat rotating disc that spirals into the hole. The name "Black Hole" was not developed until 1967 but ideas around their existence have existed since the 18th
What is a Black Hole?
What is a Black Hole? A black Hole is a region in space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape from it. Black holes in our galaxy are thought to be formed when stars more than ten times as massive as our Sun end their lives in a supernova explosion. There is also evidence indicating that super massive black holes (more massive than ten billion Suns) exist in the centres of some galaxies. How Big Is A Black Hole? There are two different ways to describe how big something is. We can say how much mass it has, or we can say how much space it takes up... There is no limit to how much or how little mass a black hole can have. Any amount of mass at all can in principle be made to form a black hole if you compress it to a high enough density. It is suspected that most of the black holes that are actually out there were produced in the deaths of massive stars, and so we expect those black holes to weigh about as much as a massive star. Astronomers also suspect that other galaxies may harbour extremely massive black holes at their centres. These are thought to weigh about a million times as much as the Sun, or 1x1036 kilograms. The more massive a black hole is the more space it takes up. In fact, the if one black hole weighs ten times as much as another, its radius is ten times as large. A black hole with a mass equal to that of the Sun would have a radius of
Black Holes.
Black Holes FAO: Tim Metham By David Yong Undergraduate Natural Sciences University of Sussex Black Holes The term black holes is a recently coined term, however the existence of these occurrences has been predicted for two hundred years or so. Since the term black holes has been used, the science fiction involved with these relatively new phenomena has been fantastical. The wonder of these events, that are so powerful that they can drag light into themselves, has been the fuel for theories and research. This essay will go through the creation, the detection and the finale of black holes. How are the Created? One way that black holes are formed is from the expiration of stars. Stars which are over three solar masses are able to become black holes. During a stars life cycle there is a fine balance being upheld. The gravity trying to pull the hole structure into one central point, the same force that keeps us all on the surface of the earth, and the explosive radiation caused from the hydrogen fusion process. This balance is not only broken at the end of the stars life, but at the beginning, proven by the Cepheid variable that we can us as standard candles. However, the balance is broken once and for all, due to the fusion process grinding to a halt as the hydrogen runs out. The force of gravity then takes over and forces the matter left in the star towards one
What is a black hole? What is the evidence that black holes actually exist, and where in the Universe do we find evidence of their existence?
Black Holes What is a black hole? What is the evidence that black holes actually exist, and where in the Universe do we find evidence of their existence? Executive Summary Black holes are considered by many to be just empty space or vacuum, with only a few people who have a comprehensive understanding of black holes. In simple terms a black hole is a region of space time where gravity is so strong that nothing that enters the region, not even light, can escape[1]. This gravitation field is created by the overwhelming amount of matter being packed into an area with a mass of ten times the sun. Greater studies and observations have allowed for new perspectives on these abnormalities in our universe, this essay will explore the idea of black holes, paying particular attention to evidence for its existence and approximate locations. Introduction to Black Holes Once again, a Black hole is a region of great gravity whereby nothing that enters is able to escape, which are the results of the final stages in the life of a star. These regions are approximately 10-15 times larger than the sun. The formation of a black hole begins with the large amounts of burned out stellar remnants from stars that are large enough in size from their supernova explosions (a star which is in the process of exploding or an exploded star). Smaller stars which are not large enough become dense neutron
Is There Any Life Elsewhere?
Is There Any Life Elsewhere? We all know that there is life on Earth, but we don't know where it came from. The title question is one that has failed to be answered with a definite response. This essay will focus on the question, but not intend to answer it, only give the reader an opportunity to answer it for themselves. The search for Protolife The search for protolife (the beginnings of life) and extremophiles (organisms that live in extreme environments and often requires the extreme condition for growth) is a hot new subject encompassed in Astrobiology. This because all of research into this field is a step towards knowing if we really are alone in the Universe. As we already have a good idea of how our solar system was created, it is not outlandish to say that other systems formed in a similar way. Already scientists have discovered water masser emissions (microwaves that are likely to have been emitted from water) by using a 32 metre radio telescope. These emissions have been detected coming from a Gas Giant in the Upsilon Andromedae system. The search for water is key to looking for life else where in the solar system. As it is believed that water is the main ingredient of life. When scientists say that they have discovered water elsewhere in the galaxy, they do not mean that have found seas of H2O, they mean that water is present but probably not is the
Life on Mars.
Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the seventh largest in our solar system. It is situated, along with our planet, in the region of the solar system where liquid water can exist on the surface, and therefore there is a chance that life is (or once was) present on Mars. Mars or the Greek term Ares is named after the Roman god of War. The planet probably got this name due to its red color (from the abundant iron oxide in the soil) and is therefore sometimes referred to as the Red Planet. Its spinning period is almost identical to that of the Earth. Because its spinning axis is tilted with respect to the ecliptic plane by 24.5 degrees (similar to the tilt of Earth's axis) the surface of Mars experiences seasonal variations just like the Earth. Mars is also made up of a core, a mantle and a thin crust. The interior of mars has been determined from data collected at the surface. The data suggests that mars is made up of a dense core of approximately 700km radius, a molten rocky mantle denser than earths and has a thin crust. Data from Mars Global Surveyor indicates Mars' crust is about 80km thick in the Southern Hemisphere but it is only 35km thick in the Northern Hemisphere. Mars' low density suggests that te core is made up of large amounts of sulphur and iron. Is Water needed for life to exist? We have always been fascinated with the Red Planet, and we've
Black Holes and the Origin of the Universe.
CTXT 1132/2126 BLACK HOLES AND THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE BLACK HOLES, WHITE HOLES AND PARALLEL UNIVERSES. A SHORT OVERVIEW. BY MICHAEL NAJDOVSKI. INTRODUCTION: Imagine a dark place, so dark not even light can escape; with forces so fierce they will tear apart any matter with the greatest of ease. Imagine a place in which all the laws of physics, that combine to make our universe the place that it is, vanish into inscrutable infinities, a place where space and time are so distorted you may travel to any one of an infinite number of parallel universes, each inhabited by a slight different parallel twin of yourself. This is the world of black holes, a phenomenon so bizarre even some of the worlds leading astrophysicists refuse to believe their existence. Yet there are those who believe, those who try to understand the concepts, but this is a subject were text book physics have no meaning and the very complex quantum mechanics and uncertainty play a large part. This short overview will skim through some of the basics behind this great mystery to try to give a simple explanation of the concepts behind black holes and some related topics. (NOTE: this is a very general overview and to try to explain the whole physics side of it will require some years of studying not to mention pages upon pages of information and formulas that would look like a bunch of meaningless,