Science / Year 10 / Science Understanding / Earth and space sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems, and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe (ACSSU188)

Elaborations
  • identifying the evidence supporting the Big Bang theory, such as Edwin Hubble’s observations and the detection of microwave radiation
  • recognising that the age of the universe can be derived using knowledge of the Big Bang theory
  • describing how the evolution of the universe, including the formation of galaxies and stars, has continued since the Big Bang
ScOT terms

Universe

Video

What emerged from the Big Bang?

This 13 minute video in 3 parts explains how the Big Bang theory developed by looking at the evidence that supports it, including Hubble's theory of the birth of the universe, Hoyle's naming of it and Einstein's theory of energy and matter. Part 2 looks at what happened after the Big Bang - the emergence of the 4 fundamental ...

Video

Threshold 1: The Big Bang

This short video offers an overview of The Big Bang - the unanswered questions about what preceded it, and the existence of space and time after it, as well as matter and energy. The forms that energy and matter then took is explained.

Video

Triple J: Why is Pluto not a planet?

Watch this clip and learn why Pluto was taken off the official list of planets. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki explains the three criteria that must be met before planets can be called planets. What are they?

Video

Stars in the southern hemisphere

Have you heard of the Southern Cross? It's a constellation (a grouping of stars) that can be found in the southern hemisphere. What does it look like? See if you can follow the tips from this video and find it in the sky at night!

Video

When neutron stars collide

Using technologically advanced supercomputers, scientists have developed theories about the creation of black holes deep in outer space. Watch the computer simulation in this clip to see how the collision of two neutron stars produces a gamma ray burst and a new black hole. Discover that our continuing understanding of ...

Video

Threshold 2: The Stars Light Up

This short video gives an overview of the emergence of the first atoms, hydrogen and helium, 380,000 years after the Big Bang. The effects of gravity led to tiny variations in the density of matter throughout the Universe, which in turn became heated, resulting in fusion and the emergence of the first stars, galaxies, and ...

Text

Solar wind gives asteroids a tanning

This brief ABC News in Science article from 2009 explains that asteroids become redder the longer they stay out in the sun because of the solar wind. Scientists are using this to try to find our more about our planetary origins.

Video

Very Large Telescope

This 10 minute video segment from Catalyst explains why the telescope is located where it is and relates it to the properties of light.

Audio

Space telescopes and servicing Hubble

This radio interview gives examples of how improvements in technology have influenced astronomy. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is paying a service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, repairing, replacing and deploying new equipment. Jonathan Nally describes the mission and looks at other large telescopes in orbit now, and ...

Audio

Science student of the year Western Australia 2008

This friendly chat helps to break down some stereotypes about scientists. Jacinta Delhaize travelled to Chile and work at the Gemini South Observatory in the Andes Mountains. She talked about her experience with high school students and for this received the Science Student of the Year award in 2008. Her PhD researches ...

Interactive

Laptop wrap: Under universal skies

A webpage with a focus on the electromagnetic spectrum and its links with radio astronomy with supporting activities and links to resources.

Interactive

Night Sky Quiz

This is a ten question multiple choice quiz that gives students feedback on their understanding of about the nature of the night sky and the universe. A useful resource to determine what students already know or to promote discussion. Feedback provides some excellent explanations.

Video

BTN: The biggest radio telescope in the world

In the past, astronomers explored the universe with their eyes and optical telescopes, but what they could see was limited. Find out how radio telescopes have revolutionised the way astronomers 'see' the universe, allowing us to explore deeper into space than ever before.Watch this clip to learn about Australia's contribution ...

Interactive

Stellarium Web

Stellarium provides a web-based version of a planetarium that allows users to explore what's visible in the sky from any location in the world. It calculates the positions of the Sun and Moon, planets and stars, and draws how the sky would look to an observer depending on their location and the time. It can also draw the ...

Video

BTN: Living on the International Space Station

What would it be like to live on a space station? In this clip you'll see footage of astronauts on the International Space Station and discover what their daily life is like. You'll also find out about how the space station was built and about some important research being done there.

Interactive

The greenhouse effect

This interactive simulation explores the effect of greenhouse gases and clouds on sunlight, infrared radiation, and surface temperature of the Earth. In a series of simulations students explore why greenhouse gases affect the temperature; they compare and contrast the behaviour of sunlight and infrared radiation; investigate ...

Interactive

Why is it cooler up the mountains?

'Ask an expert' ABC article about why is it cooler up in the mountains though it's closer to the sun and hot air rises. An excellent explanation that elicits discussion about solar radiation and heat energy and how energy is transferred and transformed.

Image

Orrery, c1770 - part 1

This is a close-up of a mechanical model of part of the solar system, commonly known as an orrery, made by renowned London instrument maker Benjamin Martin in about 1770. This bronze model features a cylindrical clockwork mechanism with an orb representing the Sun placed in the centre. Extending from this on an arm is a ...

Interactive

NSW ecosystems on show

This resource highlights fifteen natural ecosystems found in New South Wales. Each resource has been designed for students investigating ecosystem types in NSW, providing a greater understanding of their location, function, how they are impacted by human activity and how schools and communities can work to protect them. ...

Text

Thermoregulation in spacesuits

Space exploration demands technological advances that enable survival in extremely harsh environments. In this lesson, students will explore contemporary spacesuit design and create their own representation of the suit’s thermoregulation system.