Fusion released great amounts of energy over millions of years. Eventually, some stars exploded, producing clouds of heavy elements from which other stars and planets could later condense. The process of star formation and destruction continues. The origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science. Billions of galaxies, each of which is a gravitationally bound cluster of billions of stars, now form most of the visible mass in the universe.
Stars produce energy from nuclear reactions, primarily the fusion of hydrogen to form helium.
These and other processes in stars have led to the formation of all the other elements. The student will use a variety of resources to identify techniques used to investigate Earth and the Universe. The student will explain the role of natural forces in the formation of galaxies. The student will know how to use measurements of different orders of magnitude to construct an earth science model. Internet access for individuals or small groups, Microsoft PowerPoint, GalaxSee software.