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  • How Big Is the Universe?

How Big Is the Universe?

Subject(s): Physics | Age: 14-16 | Post 16 | Type: Video | Publication Year: 2010 to date
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It is almost impossible for the human mind to grasp just how big the universe is, but astronomer Pete Edwards gives it his best shot in this Teaching Astronomy and Space video from the Institute of Physics (IOP), Teachers TV and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Along the way, he explains how astronomers have learned to measure the distance to the stars using concepts such as parallax. Pete also explains the concept of a light year as a measure of distance. He shows that the Hubble Space telescope has led us to believe that there are more stars in the visible universe than there are grains of sand on the Earth.

Please refer to the copyright information and acknowledgements for this resource.

STFC is a part of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) partnership of research councils.

  • URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7bc

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Resource author

Institute of Physics

Resource by: Institute of Physics

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Resource by: Science and Technology Facilities Council

Teachers TV

Resource by: Teachers TV

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Collections

The resource is part of ESERO-UK

  • ESERO-UK
  • Teaching Astronomy and Space: Expand Your Horizons
  • Teaching Astronomy and Space: Astronomers Explain
  • How Big Is the Universe?

The resource is part of Research Councils UK

  • Research Councils UK
  • Science and Technology Facilities Council
  • Teaching Astronomy and Space: Astronomers Explain
  • How Big Is the Universe?

CPD links

  • Physics for non-specialists (11-16)

    National Science Learning Centre

  • Gcse astronomy

    Science Learning Centre East Midlands - National Space Centre, Leicester

  • Post - 16 physics update - free to attend

    Science Learning Centre South East, University of Southampton

  • Space as a context for teaching science - the james webb space telescope

    National Science Learning Centre - Edinburgh Royal Observatory

  • Astrophysics

    Science Learning Centre London - University of London Observatory, Mill Hill

Display more
  • Astrophysics

    *Regional Centre* Science Learning Centre at Keele University, Staffordshire

  • Network meeting for london post-16 physics teachers - discover the cosmos

    Science Learning Centre London

  • Space as a context for teaching science - the james webb space telescope

    National Science Learning Centre

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