NATS 1880 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Radiant Energy, Molecular Cloud, University Of Manchester
25 Feb 2016
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Document Summary
Three important ideas in framing the universal context: the universe is vast and old. Great potential for life, old age implies time for it to begin and evolve: the elements of life are widespread. Basic chemical elements that make up earth and life are present throughout the universe: the same physical laws that operate on earth operate throughout the universe. Newton"s conclusion that the laws of nature are the same everywhere is supported by tests; reasonable to think that the same processes are possible on other worlds. These ideas reinforce the copernican revolution: we are not the center. Cosmic address: planet in our solar system, solar system in our galaxy, milky way, our galaxy in local group, the local group is in the local super-cluster, all a part of the universe. Light year (ly) is the distance a photon of light will travel in a year: 9. 46 x 10^12km.
