The Known Universe 2|浩瀚宇宙 2

The Known Universe 2　　

by Marcus Maurice

Just how much do we really know about the universe around us?

关于身处的宇宙，我们究竟知多少？

When humans stare up into the starry night sky, they see vast swaths of darkness, and they are intrigued by not knowing exactly what is out there. From extraterrestrial creatures on other planets to extended space travel, the universe is full of questions. This month, National Geographic Channel (NGC) does some deep space exploring in the series, The Known Universe 2.

In one episode, NGC goes back nearly 14 billion years and takes a look at the Big Bang, which was not an explosion of matter into empty space. Instead, the Big Bang was an explosion of time and space, which were both created by this event. Sound confusing? Collision Course sheds light on the Big Bang theory as well as examines some of the most intense smashups that have ever happened in our universe.

While movies and TV shows have shown aliens in every form imaginable, one big question remains—are human beings alone in the universe? People have been asking this question for thousands of years, and now we are closer than ever to finding out the real answer. In Is Anyone Out There?, NGC shows the technological advances scientists are making in the hunt for life in the cosmos.

In Star Gates, instead of looking to the future, NGC goes back in time to see how ancient civilizations studied space and used what they saw in the sky. Stars and the moon's cycle helped people time hunts and build calendars, and they played important roles in the intellectual and spiritual evolution of humanity. The Known Universe 2 uses cutting-edge animation and outstanding storytelling to give viewers a first-class journey into the unknown edges of outer space.

1.  What is something that was NOT mentioned in the article?

(A) The origins of the universe.

(B) Making time stand still.

(C) Forms of alien life.

(D) The role the moon played in people's lives thousands of years ago.

2.  The episode Collision Course _____.

(A) focuses on the worst space shuttle crashes

(B) explains why humans will never be able to travel to the moon

(C) details the plans to build a big space elevator

(D) looks at the inception of the universe

3.  What is the third paragraph mainly about?

(A) The search for life outside of Earth.

(B) Aliens in TV shows.

(C) Science fiction movies.

(D) Answering questions about hunting animals.

4.  Which kind of person would watch The Known Universe 2?

(A) A housewife with a fascination with the cosmos.

(B) A scientist interested in the creation of the universe.

(C) A high school student who loves space exploration stories.

(D) All of the above are correct.

　　当人们望向繁星点点的夜空，他们看到一望无际的漆黑，也对存在于这片天际之外未知的一切感到兴趣。从其他星球上的外星生物到扩大规模的太空旅行，宇宙充满了许多疑问。本月份的国家地理频道在《浩瀚宇宙 2》节目中将带您进一步深入探索。

　　在其中一个单元中，国家地理频道将回到近 140 亿年前，瞧瞧造成宇宙起源的大爆炸，这种爆炸可不是物质在广阔的太空中爆炸，而是时间和空间的爆炸，而这两者也是因此大爆炸而产生。听起来让您摸不着头绪吗？《大爆炸理论》单元将阐明宇宙大爆炸理论，同时探索一些宇宙中所发生过最激烈的碰撞。

　　电影和电视节目用各种想象得到的形体表现外星生物，但有个大问题却一直存在：人类是宇宙中唯一的生物吗？几千年来人们不断询问着这个问题，而现在我们比以往都还要接近真正的答案。《寻找外星生物》单元中，国家地理频道带您了解科学家在寻找宇宙生物的过程中所做的科技进展。

　　《星际之门》单元不是带您展望未来，而是回到过去一窥古文明如何研究太空以及运用所观测到的天象。星星和月亮的周期循环帮助人们订定狩猎时间和历法，也在人类的心智进化上占有很重要的地位。《浩瀚宇宙 2》利用最先进的动画和精采的叙述方式，带领观众进行一场顶级之旅，一探外层空间中不为人知的神秘地带。

标准答案: 1. (B)2. (D)3. (A)4. (D)

For Your Information

宇宙大爆炸理论是俄裔美国科学家伽莫夫在 1948 年提出来的。这个理论认为，宇宙开始是个高温致密的火球，它不断向各个方向迅速膨胀。当温度和密度降低到一定程度，这个火球发生了剧烈的核聚变反应。随着温度和密度的降低，宇宙早期存在的微粒在引力作用下不断聚集，最后逐渐形成今天宇宙中的各种天体。