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1. The learners will be able to explain how the speeds and distances of far-off objects are
estimated (e.g., Doppler effect and cosmic distance ladder). (S11/12PS-IVj-72)
2. The learners will be able to explain how we know that we live in an expanding universe,
which used to be hot and is approximately 14 billion years old. (S11/12PS-IVj-73)
Learning Objectives:
The learner will be able to:
1. identify the methods on how the speed and distances of far-off objects are
estimated;
2. demonstrate the expansion of universe with a model; and
3. appreciate the value of studying objects beyond our solar system.
Key Concepts
➢ The universe contains vast numbers of galaxies and other heavenly bodies and has been
expanding since creation in the Big Bang about 14 billion years ago. Heavenly bodies
outside our solar system are hard to measure because of its distance. Astronomers use
different methods to measure distances of objects depending on how far it is.
➢ Cosmic Distance Ladder - A cosmic distance ladder is a method used to determine the
distance of a celestial object. It consists of several methods to determine the distance of the
celestial bodies depending on its location. One method used to measure nearby objects
followed by the second method that can be used to measure nearby to intermediate
distances, and so on. Each step of the ladder provides information that can be used to
determine the distances at the next method. Methods in the cosmic distance ladder are the
following:
Figure 2. Parallax
Source: https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/opo1115e/
Source: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Astro/stdcand.html
Figure 5. Supernovae
Source:
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/nGoEBoPd2DJ5Gw/hu
bble-and-big-bang
➢ Doppler Effect - Doppler Effect is used to estimate the speeds of celestial bodies. It is the
shift in the wavelength of the emitted light of an object which is proportional to the speed
the object moves. It occurs when the star emitting light is moving with respect to an
observer.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/what-is-the-
doppler-effect-and-how-is-it-used-in-real-life
➢ For a long time, astronomers wrestled with the basic questions about the size and age of
the universe. Does the universe go on endlessly, or does it have an edge somewhere? How
does it exist? In 1929, Edwin Hubble, an American Astronomer, studied the Doppler shift
measurements of the velocities and the distance moved by galaxies which eventually lead
him to discover that the universe is expanding.
4
v = HOr
where:
v is the recessional velocity
HO is the Hubble's constant equal to (Mpc for mega parses and My for mega light-
years); HO is also the value of the rate of expansion of the universe
r is the distance of the galaxy from Earth
Example:
Galaxy NCA 1234 has a velocity away from us of 1320 km/s and the Hubble’s
constant value is 70 km/s/Mpc. How far is the galaxy according to Hubble’s Law?
Solution:
v = H Or
1320 =r
70 Mpc
18.85 Mpc = r
r = 18.85 Mpc
Where:
1 Mpc is equals to 3.26 million light-years, thus 18.85 Mpc is multiplied to
3.26 million light-years. Galaxy NCA 1234 is 61.48 million light-years away from
planet Earth.
➢ Hubble plotted his findings on a graph and found that the linear relationship between v and
r shows that the further the galaxies are, the faster they are moving away from Earth. These
findings led him to the idea that the universe is expanding. With the discovery of the ongoing
expanding universe, scientists thought that it started as a smaller object and exploded in
what is known as the big bang which started the expanding universe which happens 14
billion years ago.
➢ Big bang Theory – is an idea that the universe began in a hot, dense, and tiny particle
mixed with light and energy. As it cooled down it also expanded to what it is today. This
took place 14 billion years ago.
Learning Activities
What to do:
Using the words on the box, identify the methods on how the speed and distances of
far-off objects are estimated. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
_________1. Is a method that uses stars that brighten and dim periodically as cosmic
yardsticks.
_________2. A method that requires the star’s apparent brightness and spectrum.
_________3. a method used to determine the distance of a celestial object. It consists of
several methods to determine the distance of the celestial bodies depending
on its location.
_________4. This method is based on the fact that light travels at 300,000 km/s.
_________5. The change in the position of an object due to a change in the way it is
perceived by the observer.
_________6. a method used for objects beyond about 1 billion light-years based on the
discovery by Edwin Hubble that the universe is expanding.
_________7. is used to estimate the speeds of celestial bodies.
_________8. A series of methods that use "standard candles". Standard candles are
objects whose absolute magnitude is thought to be very well known.
_________9. This method is used at large distances up to about 1 billion light-years.
________10. It measures the distance of objects to a few tens of millions of light-years.
What to do:
1. Take a round balloon and draw 6 dots. Label it with letter A, B, C, D, E and F respectively.
Let Point A be considered as the milky way galaxy and other letters would be the other
galaxies in the universe. Please see the Figure 10 for reference.
Note: The teacher may provide a balloon if the student cannot secure a balloon.
2. Measure the distance between the dots and write it on the table below. Use centimeters in
measuring the distance.
3. Inflate your balloon as it represents the expansion of the universe. Please see the Figure 11
for reference.
4. Measure the distance between the dots and write it on the table below. Use centimeters in
measuring the distance.
5. Answer the guide questions below.
Guiding Questions:
1. What are your observations to the location of the dots before and after inflating the
balloon?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. How does the expanding universe affects the position of the celestial bodies?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Rubrics
Reflection
The astronomers have formulated theories and discovered several celestial bodies beyond
our solar system. As a student, what do you think are the relevance of these discoveries?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Rubrics
POINTS DESCRIPTION
3 Discussion is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts and has no
misconception.
2 Discussion is scientifically explained consistent to the concepts, but with
minimal misconception.
1 Discussion is explained consistent to the concepts, but with misconceptions.
0 No discussion.
Klesman, Alison. The Cosmic Distance Ladder: How we Measure an Infinite Universe.
Published July 31, 2019. Retrieved from https://astronomy.com/news/2019/07/the
cosmic-distance-ladder
Tao, Terence. The Cosmic Distance Ladder. Published in 2009. Accessed on November 3, 2020.
Retrieved from https://terrytao.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/cosmic-distance-ladder1.pdf
The Authors. Quexbook: Physical Science. Published in 2018. Accessed on November 3, 2020.
Retrieved from Quexbook Mobile Application.
The Authors. Formula- Distant and Unusual Galaxies. Accessed on December 2, 2020. Retrieved
from https://sites.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/Notes/section3/math13.html
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Expanding Universe. Published May 26, 2017.
Accessed on November 3, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/
expanding-universe
Photo Credits:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measuring_principle#/media/File:Sonar_Principle_EN.svg
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KUhXyrLdXw8qpXULApiLWX-1200-80.jpg
https://socratic.org/questions/what-is-the-hertzsprung-russell-diagram-and-why-is-it-so-
important-to-astronomy-
https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/opo1115e/
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Astro/stdcand.html
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/nGoEBoPd2DJ5Gw/hubble-and-big-bang
https://interestingengineering.com/what-is-the-doppler-effect-and-how-is-it-used-in-real-life
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/137922807322272182/