Future of an expanding universe

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/future-of-an-expanding-universe

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the universe and how does it stretch?The universe is like a giant balloon that keeps getting bigger over time. As it expands, everything inside it moves farther apart.
2. Why is the universe expanding faster now?Scientists found that distant galaxies are moving away faster than expected, thanks to bright exploding stars called Type Ia supernovae. This shows that something is pushing the universe apart more strongly.

Type Ia Supernova: A specific type of stellar explosion used as a standard candle to measure cosmic distances.
Lambda-CDM Model: The standard model of Big Bang cosmology, incorporating a cosmological constant (Lambda) and cold dark matter.
Cosmic Microwave Background: The faint afterglow of the Big Bang, providing crucial evidence for the universe's early state and expansion.