2006-08-03 04:56:13 · 8 answers · asked by siram v 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Because the universe is expanding and has a finite life , from a fixed point the furthest you can see is the distance that light has travelled in that time.
Current estimates of the Universe's age put it at 13.7 billion years, so the current boundary of the universe is 13.7 billion light years away.
That's one of the reasons why astronomers build bigger and better telescopes. By looking further out in to space we are effectively looking further and further back in time.
2006-08-03 05:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe that there can be a boundary to the universe. Not that there is a line where there is universe on one side and nothingness on the other, more along the lines of an observable universe. Light only travels so fast. Therefore, the oldest light that we can observe has had to travel the farthest. Since there is no "older" light, then nothing could be from farther away. This boundary of the "oldest" light would then define our limits on the universe as the known universe. Is there more out there? Who knows? Regardless, that condition could be described as the (visible) boundary of the universe.
2006-08-03 12:14:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mr__Roarke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The boundary of what we know of the universe
2006-08-03 12:09:52 · answer #3 · answered by Adriana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, a boundary is an edge, but the universe has no boundary. the universe is finite yet has no edge and no center. the universe is four-dimensional, but if you can imagine a two-dimensional version then it seems to be something like the surface of a sphere. space-time itself originated in the big bang. the big bang was the entire universe, and everywhere in the universe was once the big bang. nothing, not even space-time, exists "outside" the universe. to quote a dead writer, "there's no there, there".
read this:
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=0009F0CA-C523-1213-852383414B7F0147
2006-08-03 15:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by warm soapy water 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well basically since the universe is infinite that the person who said "boundary of the universe" is a dumbass and should be shot in the effing face...end of story.
2006-08-03 12:00:54 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Goodbar 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no boundary. Either the universe bends ibnto itself like a circle, or it's infinite.
2006-08-03 12:06:45 · answer #6 · answered by helene_thygesen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i think it means the light particle that has traveled the farthest from the center of the univers this bouyndry is expanding
2006-08-03 12:57:37 · answer #7 · answered by the holy divine one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CELESTIAL PERHAPS YET IF ONE EXISTED IN THE UNIVERSE WE HAVE BROKEN SEVERAL GOING INTO SPACE SO MY ANS WOULD BE NONEXHISTANT
2006-08-03 12:05:44 · answer #8 · answered by Penney S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋