Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Explain how Newton’s laws of gravity demonstrate the universality of physical law.

Give a brief description of the cosmic microwave background and explain how scientists know it’s some of the first light emitted in the universe.

Why is dark matter given that name? Describe briefly what scientists think it might be.

Why is dark energy called by that name? What do astrophysicists think it consists of?

Explain briefly how the atoms that make up humans and their environment come from stars.

What force causes planets to become round, and how does it do so? Describe what caused the Milky Way galaxy to collapse into the shape of a tortilla.

List the main types of electromagnetic energy, from lowest to highest energy. Why do our eyes only sense the middle section we call visible light?

How does splitting starlight into its various colors help scientists learn the contents of stars? Give two methods whereby researchers use a star’s light to learn about any planets that orbit it.