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GCSE Astronomy Edexcel
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GCSE Astronomy Edexcel
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GCSE Astronomy Edexcel
– Topics
Paper 1: Celestial Observation
Factors Affecting Visibility
Cardinal Points, Culmination, Meridian, Zenith and Circumpolarity
Equatorial and Horizon Coordinate Systems
Celestial Sphere, Poles and Equator
Identifying Objects in the Night Sky and Effect of Light Pollution
Constellations and Asterisms
Astronomical Phenomena Visible to the Naked Eye
Paper 1: Early Models of the Solar System
The Astronomical Unit, Light Year and Parsec
Scale of the Solar System
Epicycles
Early Geocentric Models of the Solar System
Ancient Monuments and their Celestial Alignment
Detailed Observations of Solar and Lunar Cycles
Paper 1: Planet Earth
Effects of Earth's Atmosphere on Astronomical Observations
Astronomical Reference Points
Latitude and Longitude Co-ordinate System
Earth's Major Internal Divisions
Shape of the Earth
Paper 1: Planetary Motion and Gravity
Aphelion and Perihelion, Apogee and Perigee
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
Gravity and Stable Elliptical Orbits
Mathematical Modelling of Copernicus and Kepler
Observational Work of Brahe
Paper 1: Solar System Observation
Conjunction, Opposition, Elongation, Transit and Occultation
Retrograde Motion of Planets
Changing Position of the Planets in the Night Sky
The Ecliptic Sun Path
Pinhole Projection
Paper 1: The Earth-Moon-Sun System
Partial, Total and Annual Solar Eclipses (Moon and Sun)
Precession of the Earth's Axis
Relative Effects of the Sun and Moon on Tides
Mean Diameter of the Sun
Eratosthenes and Aristarchus' Observations
Relative Sizes and Distances Between the Earth, Moon and Sun
Paper 1: The Lunar Disc
Lunar Libration
Synchronous Nature of the Moon's Orbit
Rotation and Revolution Periods of the Moon
Features on the Lunar Disc
Principal Naked-Eye Lunar Surface Formations
Shape and Mean Diameter of the Moon
Paper 1: Time and the Earth-Moon-Sun Cycles
Astronomical and Horological Methods Determination of Longitude
Time Zones
Lunar Phase Cycle
Sundials
Equation of Time
Times: AST, MST and LMT
Sidereal and Synodic Days and Months
Paper 2: Cosmology
The Significance and Possible Nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy
The Fluctuations in the CMB Radiation
The Big Bang Theory and the Steady State Theory
The Relationship between Distance and Redshift of Distant Galaxies
Evidence Confirming the Discovery of the Expanding Universe
Paper 2: Exploring Starlight
Gamma Ray, X-Ray and Ultraviolet Astronomy
Space Telescopes and Detectors
Infrared Astronomy
Optical and Radio Telescopes
Obtaining and Studying the Patterns of Spectral Lines
Structure of Gravitationally Bound Stellar Groupings
Cepheid Variables
Light Curves of Variable Stars
Heliocentric Parallax
Inverse Square Relationship between Distance and Brightness/Intensity
Life Cycle of Stars
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams
Spectral Types of Stars
Stellar Spectrums
Absolute Magnitude
The Astronomical Magnitude Scale
Paper 2: Exploring the Moon
Alternative Theories of the Moon's Origin
Giant Impact Hypothesis
Spacecraft Traveling to the Moon
The Moon's Near and Far Sides
Moon's Major Internal Divisions
Paper 2: Exploring the Solar System
The Apollo Programme
Direct Observation via Manned Missions
Major Types of Space Probes
Magnification of a Telescope Formula
Galilean, Keplerian, Newtonian and Cassegrain Telescopes
Simple Telescopes
Use of Convex Lenses and Concave Mirrors
Theories for the Origin of Water on Earth
Use of Transits of Venus
Meteoroids and Meteorites
The Astronomical Unit, Light Year and Parsec
Gas Giant Planets in our Solar System
Principal Characteristics of the Planets
Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud and the Heliosphere
Orbits of Short and Long-Period Comets
Structure of Comets
Bodies in the Solar System
Paper 2: Formation of Planetary Systems
Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence
The Drake Equation
Goldilocks Zones
Requirements for Life and the Possibility of Life-Forms Existing Elsewhere
Methods for Discovering Systems of Exoplanets
Main Theories for the Formation of Gas Giant Planets
Interactions in the Formation of Planets and Moons
Solar Wind Affecting Comets, Planetary Atmospheres and the Heliosphere
Accidental Collisions Causing Impact Craters
Gravitational Interactions of Multiple Bodies
Tidal Gravitational Forces
Gravitational Attraction Producing Regular Motion
Paper 2: Our Place in the Galaxy
Redshift
Main Theories for the Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
Larger Clusters and Superclusters
Types of Active Galaxies
Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN)
Hubble Classification System
The Local Group
Size and Shape of our Galaxy
The Appearance of the Milky Way from Earth
Paper 2: Solar Astronomy
Earth's Magnetosphere
The Solar Wind
Sunspot Data and the Mean Solar Rotation Period
Components of the Solar Atmosphere
Principal Nuclear Fusion Process in the Sun
The Sun's Internal Divisions
Observing the Sun Safely
Paper 2: Stellar Evolution
Studying and Gathering Evidence for the Existence of Black Holes
Principal Stages and Timescales of Stellar Evolution
The Chandrasekhar Limit
The Balance between Neutron Pressure and Gravity
The Balance between Radiation Pressure and Gravity
The Balance between Electron Pressure and Gravity
The Bayer System
Messier and New General Catalogue (NGC)