The Edge of Interstellar Space

The Edge of Interstellar Space

One of the cutting edge areas of astronomy has to do with the where our solar system ends and where interstellar space begins. The Sun’s influence extends much further than we previously thought and we have just started to explore the outer edges of our home solar system with space probes launched in the 1970’s. What kind of objects are out that far from the Sun?

This Course includes the following great BONUS LESSONS:

• What on Earth is Astronomy?

• Mini-Lesson: Eclipses

• Mini-Lesson: Meteor Showers

• Mini-Lesson: Aurora

The Edge of Interstellar Space

1. Objective

2. Warm-up activity

3. Overview of our Solar System

4. Perspectives on size and distance

5. Brief discussion of the Sun

6. The boundaries of the Solar System

7. Astronomical units of measurement

8. Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs)

9. Scattered-disk objects (SDOs)

10. Dwarf Planets

11. The Kuiper Belt

12. The definition of a planet

13. The dwarf planet Sedna

14. Eccentric orbits and the plane of the Solar System

15. The dwarf planet Pluto

16. The New Horizons mission to Pluto

17. The Asteroid Belt

18. The dwarf planet Ceres

19. Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs)

20. Dwarf planet Haumea

21. Dwarf planet Eris

22. Moons of the outer Solar System

23. The Oort Cloud

24. Short- and long-period comets

25. Absolute zero

26. The interstellar medium

27. The Solar System’s place in the Milky Way Galaxy

28. Bow shock and bow waves

29. The heliopause

30. Termination shock

31. The Voyager and Pioneer missions

32. Test questions

33. Cross-curricular activities

My name is Tony Ceraso and I will be your instructor. I sometimes run the planetarium and have written curriculum for the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. I have also written curriculum for NASA’s school visitation program and teach on the college level in NJ.

My goal is for you to thoroughly enjoy this lesson. I love astronomy and I want nothing more out of our time together than for you to have a greater appreciation for the universe through the understanding of this material. Besides the lesson I’m going to preview for you now, the course includes warm up activities, test questions, and cross-curricular activities for you to download as a supplement.

Dwarf Planets, the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud

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What you will learn

• One of the cutting edge areas of astronomy has to do with the where our solar system ends and where interstellar space begins. The Sun’s influence extends much further than we previously thought and we have just started to explore the outer edges of our home solar system with space probes launched in the 1970’s. What kind of objects are out that far from the Sun?
• Overview of the solar system
• Perspective on Size and Distance

Rating: 5

Level: Beginner Level

Duration: 2.5 hours

Instructor: Tony Ceraso