Consider a universe in which you can only see an observable universe. If the expansion of the universe is an expansion of space itself then surely a collapsing universe would look the same, ie. objects at greater distance would be rushing toward the collapse at a greater rate or you would be rushing towards the collapse at a greater rate than objects on the other side. In both of these it would appear that the space between objects was increasing and indeed at an increasing rate. That is to say that the expansion is a collapse and appears as an expansion who's rate is increasing?
2006-07-31 03:48:36 · 9 answers · asked by zebbedee 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
the doppler red shift is actually caused by the space in which the light is travelling is stretching, the space would also be stretching if it was a collapse. My point solves the apparent accelarated expansion though, something which cannot otherwise be explained with out invoking a mysterious force.
2006-07-31 03:57:38 · update #1
No. It took me a couple of minutes to understand your reasoning but I think I've got it now. If the collapse point is outside the observable universe, as in your hypothesis, the observable universe could not still appear to be expanding: it would appear to be collapsing.
Basically for your hypothesis to be true, in a collapsing universe there would still need to be local expansion within the observable universe, but given our current understanding of the nature of the universe this couldn't happen - any significantly-sized observable universe would be collapsing in line with the total universe, and therefore the collapsing would be visible. Of course we could be wrong about the nature of the universe :-)
2006-07-31 04:02:03 · answer #1 · answered by Graham I 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes, its really is expanding. The expansion was discovered when astronomers found that the light emitted by really distant objects had a different color than expected. The color of the light was redder than it should have been. The further away the object, the redder the light. This reddening of the light is called the Doppler shift and astronomers call this effect "Red-shifting". The effect is the same as when you hear a car driving past you whilst honking the horn. What happens to the sound? It will change to a lower tone as the car recedes from you. The same happens to light as well. Read here for more info in Doppler effect:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppler_effect
If the universe were shrinking, the light would not be red-shifted. Instead it would be blue-shifted. We do not observe blue-shifting with really distant objects. (with exception of a few nearby stars and galaxies, in these cases they are moving towards us at a rate greater than the expansion is carrying them away)
2006-07-31 04:05:00 · answer #2 · answered by Mike W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is increasing in size. proven by the Doppler effect. Check it out, is a similar effect that tells you a fire engine has passed even though the tone is the same in volume
2006-07-31 03:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by BackMan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck on getting that one by the authoritarian boards
Until then the accepted theory is that
Yes -- the universe is expanding
2006-07-31 03:54:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the universe is really expanding..
2006-07-31 04:05:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's expanding n it only appears to be collapasing.
2006-07-31 03:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! Away from is not the same as towards.
2006-07-31 03:54:02 · answer #7 · answered by mesun1408 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-07-31 03:56:30 · answer #8 · answered by friendly to u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well expand or collaps.........will it make your life diffrent..?
2006-07-31 06:01:18 · answer #9 · answered by indrakeerthi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋