1929 Cosmic Times
This poster is the second edition of the Cosmic Times, with the
publication date chosen to coincide with the announcement of Hubble's
results which found that the Universe was expanding. These results were
contrary to Einstein's assumption of a static Universe. In addition, in order to show that the galaxies were all moving away from us, Hubble first showed that there were other galaxies outside the Milky Way.
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1929 Article Overview
Age of Universe: 2 Billion Years
Size of Universe: 280 Million Light Years
| Article |
Thread |
Summary |
| Andromeda Nebula Lies Outside Milky Way Galaxy |
Size of the Universe |
Hubble's observations of Cepheid variable stars in Andromeda show that
it is actually separate from our Milky Way galaxy. |
| "Great Debate" Resolved |
Size of the Universe |
Hubble's distance to the Andromeda Nebula resolves the
debate held in 1920 between Harlow Shapley and Heber Curtis
over whether the spiral nebulae were part of our Galaxy or
outside it. |
| Universe is Expanding |
Expanding Universe |
Hubble's careful distance calculations coupled with redshift
measurements show that the Universe is expanding. |
| Sidebar: The Minds atop Mount Wilson |
-- |
Biographical information about Hubble and his assistant, Humason. |
| Sidebar: Classifying Nebulae |
-- |
Brief overview of Hubble's system of classifying galaxies. |
| In Their Own Words |
-- |
Snippets of papers published by other astronomers during this time. The
snippet here is from Hubble about observing distant objects in the
Universe. |
1929 Lesson Overview
| Activity |
Summary |
Grade |
Discipline |
| |
|
MS |
HS |
|
| 1. Discovering the Milky Way |
Students look at historic astronomical data to find the pattern
originally seen by Henrietta Leavitt. |
|
x |
Physics, Astronomy
|
| 2. Just How Far is that Star? |
Students work with light meters to determine how astronomers find
distances to objects of known brightness. |
|
x |
Physics, Astronomy
|
| 3. Cosmic CSI |
Students explore what spectra from different elements looks like
and how astronomers can learn composition of objects with this tool. |
x |
|
Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry
|
| 4. Determining
the Universe |
Students measure the size of several galaxies to reproduce a plot
of Hubble's Law. |
|
x |
Physics, Astronomy
|
| 5. Unsung Heroes of Science |
Students investigate figures in science who are often overlooked. |
x |
x |
Multidisciplinary |
|
