I hear physicists discussing the vast size of the expanding universe but has anyone ever demonstrated our universe has a border or edge? It seems impossible to discuss an expansion of anything if you can't delineate its borders.
I hear physicists discussing the vast size of the expanding universe but has anyone ever demonstrated our universe has a border or edge? It seems impossible to discuss an expansion of anything if you can't delineate its borders.
It's largely infinitely finite in universitilty.
pretend you're a one dimensional being on a circle (maybe a rubber band) and now pretend that circle gets stretched out.
high on universe wrote:
I hear physicists discussing the vast size of the expanding universe but has anyone ever demonstrated our universe has a border or edge? It seems impossible to discuss an expansion of anything if you can't delineate its borders.
Short answer:
If there was a big bang (which is by far the accepted theory), there is an edge to the universe. If there was no big bang, then there may or may not be an edge to the universe.
both matter and space are finite.
the existence of one excludes the 'infinite-ness' of the other.
let that sink in...
watchout wrote:
high on universe wrote:I hear physicists discussing the vast size of the expanding universe but has anyone ever demonstrated our universe has a border or edge? It seems impossible to discuss an expansion of anything if you can't delineate its borders.
Short answer:
If there was a big bang (which is by far the accepted theory), there is an edge to the universe. If there was no big bang, then there may or may not be an edge to the universe.
There is an edge to the *observable* universe by big bang theory, but whether the universe is infinite (beyond what is observable) or finite (ie. wrapping around on itself) is a different question.
There is no know edge. Also, breaking news, the universe is cooling, Oh NO, Universal cooling! start up the SUV's
What is on the other side of the edge? :)
well.. i take that back.
infinity - constant = infinity
The best questions are: why is there something instead of nothing? What was before the big bang? If there was "nothing" before, then what exploded?
Define precisely "infinitely large".
The universe is shaped exactly like the earth, if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were.
M M wrote:
The universe is shaped exactly like the earth, if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were.
o rly
great band
Depends on the respective point of view.
sniffy wrote:
The best questions are: why is there something instead of nothing? What was before the big bang? If there was "nothing" before, then what exploded?
I agree. The Big Bang is as far as scientist can trace back the universe right now. Anything before that could be so complex it would be impossible for the human mind to comprehend although there are some theories out there.
If there is an edge, it is moving.
the entire Universe got farted out by a creature many times larger than the current known universe.
M M wrote:
The universe is shaped exactly like the earth, if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were.
Everywhere I went, there I was.