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e-Journal

Meet Neil deGrasse Tyson (pp. 370-371)


Step 1. Questions

Stars are made of gases, such as hydrogen and carbon. These elements and many others also make up the human body. Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist who studies how the universe works. He studies the elements that stars make.

Write an expository essay that explains the main idea presented on pages 370–371 of your textbook. You will need to conduct research about stars and the elements that make up the universe. Here are some questions to guide your research:
  • What is "star dust"?
  • What does Neil deGrasse Tyson study?
  • Which elements that are found in our bodies were formed in stars?
  • How do stars scatter elements into space?
Are you ready? Begin by visiting the Web sites listed in Step 2. Look for answers to the questions above. Write down what you learn in the note-taking boxes.

With teacher supervision, you may use search engines to research other Web sites. You also can research stars at the library. When you are ready, go on to Steps 3 and 4.


Step 2. Research

Research answers to the questions you were asked in Step 1. Visit these Web sites. Take notes about them on this page, too!


Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn how to surf the Internet safely.


Star Birth
Did you know that stars have life cycles? Go to this Web site to learn how a star is born. Learn what makes a star and how young stars behave. As you read, remember that radiation is waves of energy. Click STAR DEATH to learn about the rest of a star's life. Find out more ways in which stars scatter elements. This Web site was created by the European Space Agency.
Take Notes:



Animation of a Supernova Explosion
This Web site is hosted by Harvard University. Watch the animation to see what happens when a star explodes. Click LOW RES under the "Quicktime" heading. Think about how stars spread the gases that they create.
Take Notes:



Supernova Animation
Watch the different stages of this animation to see how stars create elements before the stars explode. Click NEXT to see how the star changes over time. Pay attention to the time it takes for the star to change. You can see the times under the headings "Step 2", "Step 3", and so on. Read the names of the elements that the star creates. All of those elements are found in our bodies, except for helium and neon.
Take Notes:



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