Term 1: Formation of Planetary Systems
12. Students will gain an understanding of how the interaction of gravitational and tidal forces led to the formation of our Solar System. They will use this information to study exoplanets and also the possibility of life existing elsewhere.
Formation of Planetary Systems Test - 50 marks
Internal heating
Heating of the core of a moon due to internal friction from tidal forces
Orbital resonance
Exertion of periodic gravitational forces that leads to orbital period of integer values of each other
Lagrangian points
Areas in orbit where gravitational forces are balanced
Roche limit
Area where tidal forces overcome elastic forces and a celestial body is broken apart
Transmit method
Determining the existence of exoplanets due to a periodic dip in light intensity from a star
Astrometry
Determining the existence of exoplanets from the precise measurement of a planet's position
Radial velocity
Determining the existence of exoplanets from doppler measurements of their spectra
Goldilocks Zone
Area around a star where the temperature allows for the existence of liquid water
Exoplanet
A planet outside the solar system
Drake Equation
An equation used to estimate the number of communicative civilisations in the galaxy
Extra-terrestrial life
Life outside of Earth
SETI
Organisation using radio waves to search for life outside of Earth
Develop the individual:
The learning of astronomy cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and a profound understanding of our place in the universe. Studying the vast expanse beyond Earth inspires a sense of wonder, encouraging curiosity about the unknown and fostering a mindset open to exploration and lifelong learning. When individuals look up at the night sky or learn about stars and galaxies, they are reminded of the boundless mysteries awaiting discovery. This curiosity is fundamental to intellectual growth, motivating individuals to seek answers, ask questions, and explore the natural world.
Create a supportive community:
The learning of astronomy develops the community by fostering scientific literacy, promoting collaboration, and inspiring a shared sense of identity and responsibility. As community members become more knowledgeable about astronomy, they gain a better understanding of scientific principles and methodologies, which translates into a more informed and scientifically literate society. This awareness is crucial in an age where communities face complex challenges, from climate change to space exploration, and need informed citizens who can engage in science-based discussions and decisions. A community familiar with astronomy, therefore, becomes better equipped to address scientific issues collectively.
Term 2: Exploring starlight and stellar evolution
13. Students will gain an understanding of how stars are observed and how we can obtain information about them from just observing the light they emit. They will study the evolution of stars and different types of stars. Students will also find out why we observe stars in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and where telescopes are located to enable better observations to be made. 14. Students will gain an understanding of how and why stars evolve. They will study how stars form and how they end their life, depending on their size.
Exploring starlight test - 50 marks, Stellar Evolution Test - 50 marks, Paper 1 Naked Eye Astronomy (mock exam) - 100 marks
Absolute magnitude
The brightness of a star from 10 Pc away
Apparent magnitude
The perceived brightness of a star for an observer
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Diagram to show change in luminosity and temperature of stars throughout their lifespan
Cepheid
Star that pulsates with a stable period
Quasar
An extremely luminous galaxy centre
Catalogue
A system of naming celestial objects
Main sequence star
A star fusing hydrogen into helium
Red giant
An expanded star when the star runs out of hydrogen to fuse
White dwarf
The remaining core of star when the outer layers have been blown off
Black dwarf
The remnants of a white dwarf that has transferred all of its thermal energy
Chandrasekhar Limit
The greatest possible mass of a white dwarf
Neutron star
The remnants of the core of a star after a supernova
Black hole
An area from which not even light can escape
Develop the individual:
The learning of astronomy cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and a profound understanding of our place in the universe. Studying the vast expanse beyond Earth inspires a sense of wonder, encouraging curiosity about the unknown and fostering a mindset open to exploration and lifelong learning. When individuals look up at the night sky or learn about stars and galaxies, they are reminded of the boundless mysteries awaiting discovery. This curiosity is fundamental to intellectual growth, motivating individuals to seek answers, ask questions, and explore the natural world.
Create a supportive community:
The learning of astronomy develops the community by fostering scientific literacy, promoting collaboration, and inspiring a shared sense of identity and responsibility. As community members become more knowledgeable about astronomy, they gain a better understanding of scientific principles and methodologies, which translates into a more informed and scientifically literate society. This awareness is crucial in an age where communities face complex challenges, from climate change to space exploration, and need informed citizens who can engage in science-based discussions and decisions. A community familiar with astronomy, therefore, becomes better equipped to address scientific issues collectively.
Term 3: Our place in the galaxy and cosmology
15. Students will gain an understanding of the Milky Way, our place in it and how it fits into the Universe. They will study different types of galaxies and the main theories for their evolution. 16. Students will gain an understanding of redshift and Hubble’s law for distant galaxies. They will also study the evidence and explanation for the expanding Universe. Students will explore dark matter and dark energy and the possible fate of the Universe.
Our Place in the Galaxy Test - 50 marks, Cosmology Test - 50 marks, Paper 2 Telescopic Astronomy (Mock Exam) - 100 marks
Local Group
Group of galaxies gravitationally linked to the Milky Way galaxy
'Tuning fork' diagram
Diagram to classify types of galaxy
Seyfert galaxies
Class of galaxies containing an active nucleus
Redshift
The increase in wavelength for an observer due to recessional motion from the observer
Hubble's Law
The distance to a galaxy is directly proportional to its recessional velocity
Big Bang Theory
Theory that the universe began from a very dense and hot point
Steady State Theory
Debunked theory believing that as the universe expanded, new matter formed in the gaps left behind
Blazar
An active galactic nucleus with a relativistic jet directed towards an observer
Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN)
Centre of a galaxy responsible for emitting significant levels of radiation
Spiral galaxy
Galaxy with a flat disc of rotating stars
Barred spiral galaxy
Spiral galaxy with a barred shape towards the centre. The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy
Develop the individual:
The learning of astronomy cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, and a profound understanding of our place in the universe. Studying the vast expanse beyond Earth inspires a sense of wonder, encouraging curiosity about the unknown and fostering a mindset open to exploration and lifelong learning. When individuals look up at the night sky or learn about stars and galaxies, they are reminded of the boundless mysteries awaiting discovery. This curiosity is fundamental to intellectual growth, motivating individuals to seek answers, ask questions, and explore the natural world.
Create a supportive community:
The learning of astronomy develops the community by fostering scientific literacy, promoting collaboration, and inspiring a shared sense of identity and responsibility. As community members become more knowledgeable about astronomy, they gain a better understanding of scientific principles and methodologies, which translates into a more informed and scientifically literate society. This awareness is crucial in an age where communities face complex challenges, from climate change to space exploration, and need informed citizens who can engage in science-based discussions and decisions. A community familiar with astronomy, therefore, becomes better equipped to address scientific issues collectively.
Term 4: Revision
In this half term students will complete revision for their summer exams.
Final practice papers will be used. Topics will depend on student needs.
Develop the individual:
Create a supportive community:
Term 5: Revision
In this half term students will complete revision for their summer exams.
Paper 1 Naked Eye Astronomy - 100 marks, Paper 2 Telescopic Astronomy - 100 marks
Develop the individual:
Create a supportive community: