ASTR 3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Exoplanet, White Dwarf, Electron Degeneracy Pressure
Document Summary
2 rules of thermal radiation: stefan-boltzmann law: hotter objects emit more light at all frequencies per unit area, wien"s law: hotter objects emit photons with a higher average energy. Earth"s radiation peaks in the infrared region of the spectrum. Closer to the sun (and closer together), with warmer surfaces. Made mostly of hydrogen, helium, and hydrogen compounds. Farther from the sun (and farther apart) with cool temperatures at cloud tops. According to the nebular theory our solar system formed from a giant cloud of interstellar gas. Starts as a molecular cloud: large dense cloud of gas (mostly hydrogen) and dust. All parts of the cloud are gravitationally attracted to each other (the center) Gravity pushing in wins over pressure pushing out, and regions of the molecular cloud collapse. Continues to collapse into a dense star forming cores in the molecular cloud. Molecular cores continue to collapse under their own gravity.
