LESSON 1

Universe
And the
Solar System

Specific Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and composition of the Universe;

2. State the different hypothesis that preceded the Big Bang Theory of the Origin
of the Universe.
3. Explain the red-shift and how it used as proof of an expanding universe; and
4. Explain the Big Bang Theory and evidences supporting the theory.

p. 1-Week 1
Universe

The universe is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies,
and all other forms of matter and energy. While the
spatial size of the entire universe is unknown, it is
possible to measure the size of the observable
universe, which is currently estimated to be 93
billion light-years in diameter. In various
multiverse hypotheses, a universe is one of
many causally disconnected constituent parts of a
larger multiverse, which itself comprises all of
space and time and its contents; as a consequence,
‘the universe’ and ‘the multiverse’ are
synonymous in such theories.

A galaxy is a gravitationally bound system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar

gas, dust, and dark matter. The word galaxy is
derived from the Greek galaxias (γαλαξίας),
literally "milky", a reference to the Milky Way.
Galaxies range in size from dwarfs with just a
few hundred million stars to giants with one
hundred trillion stars, each orbiting its
galaxy's center of mass.

A star is an astronomical object consisting

of a luminous spheroid of plasma held together
by its own gravity. The nearest star to Earth is
the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked
eye from Earth during the night, appearing as a
multitude of fixed luminous points in the sky due
to their immense distance from Earth.
Historically, the most prominent stars were grouped into constellations and asterisms, the
brightest of which gained proper names. Astronomers have assembled star catalogues that
identify the known stars and provide standardized stellar designations. The observable
Universe contains an estimated 1×1024 stars, but most are invisible to the naked eye from Earth,
including all stars outside our galaxy, the Milky Way.

p. 2-Week 1
Origin of the Universe

1. Big Bang Theory

As the currently accepted theory of the origin and

evolution of the universe, the Big Bang Theory
postulates that 13.8 billion years ago, the universe
expanded from a tiny, dense and hot mass to its present
size and much cooler state.
The theory rests on two ideas: General Relativity and
the Cosmological Principle.

2. Steady State Model

The now discredited steady state model of the universe was proposed in 1948 by Bondi and
Gould and by Hoyle. • It maintains that new matter is created as the universe expands thereby
maintaining its density. • Its predictions led to tests and its eventual rejection with the
discovery of the cosmic microwave background.

3. Oscillating Universe Theory

The Oscillating Universe Theory is a cosmological model that combines both the Big Bang
and the Big Crunch as part of a cyclical event. That is, if this theory holds true, then the
Universe in which we live in exists between a Big Bang and a Big Crunch.

4. Multiverse Theory,

Which states that there may be multiple or even an infinite number of universes (including
the universe we consistently experience) that together comprise everything that exists: the
entirety of space, time, matter, and energy as well as the physical laws and constants that
describe them. In this context, multiple universes are often referred to as parallel universes
because they exist alongside our own.

5. Big Crunch

The Big Crunch is a hypothetical scenario for the ultimate fate of the universe, in which
the expansion of the universe eventually reverses and the universe collapses, ultimately
causing the cosmic scale factor to reach zero, an event potentially followed by a reformation
of the universe starting with another Big Bang.

p. 3-Week 1
Exercise 1
Name: _____________________________________
Grade & Section: _________________________

Direction: List at least 3 theories that you most likely to believe and explain why.

p. 4-Week 1
Activity 1

Name: _____________________________________
Grade & Section: _________________________

Direction: Using your Creativity. Design and Color the Milky Way. You can use coloring
materials or any recycled materials.

p. 5-Week 1