If light traveling in one direction will end up in the same place after a trip around the universe, then the brightest spots in our galaxy might be seen in several spots on the firmament likely at different stages in time. Could we consider the sky as a huge space/time mirror? Could we verify this hypothesis?
2006-08-12 12:47:48 · 11 answers · asked by eSoul 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
In theory, yes, but since it is so large, we'd have to wait longer than the age of hte univ. to see the back of our heads.
2006-08-20 05:19:58 · answer #1 · answered by kemchan2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, the universe is mostly flat which is why large objects like the Sun can distort gravity and keep the solar planets in orbit. The sky is definitely not a space/time mirror although there could be three possibilities to the shape of the universe depending on which of the Friedmann equations solved best suits our universe. To have these type of discussions post a message on astrowhiz at Yahoo Groups. See my profile for more details!
2006-08-12 20:06:22 · answer #2 · answered by Taker 07 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That might happen if the Universe wasn't expanding. The rate of expansion is such that a photon of light can never get all the way around the Universe to the point it started, Therefore we can never see ourselves at some incredably distant point in the past. You can really get a bad headache thinking of this stuff. 10 dimensional string theory tends to do that to you.
2006-08-17 16:46:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The photons from our galaxy would be absorbed by other objects well before it ever reached the "edge" of our universe.Even if it did make it you are suggesting that we know the makeup of the edge of our universe.How do we know that light reflects off of the "edge"? And even if it did reflect do you know how long it would take to travel all that way and then back??Probably on the scale of 20 billion years.It is very very highly unlikely that we would ever see it.Good thought though and good question.
2006-08-12 21:19:47 · answer #4 · answered by isaac a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, that was a theory back in the mid 80's in 'Sky and Telescope'. A researcher believed he saw the milky way at the limits of red shift. I haven't heard much about it since.
2006-08-12 19:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by Pancakes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Think about it. If light kept going around and around, it would be everywhere and we would see nothing but a white sky, night or day. Must be something wrong with your hypothesis, eh?
2006-08-12 19:52:49 · answer #6 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the answer to your question most realisitically is: with what we know so far, it's possible. Very unsatisfying. I suggest getting a PhD in astrophysics and answering this question for us. It certainly would be an amazing thing to prove.
2006-08-12 21:03:12 · answer #7 · answered by fizzygod 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't -- we can't see beyond the radiation created by the big bang, so in that sense, the universe has an 'edge' 13.6 billion light years from its original 'center'.
2006-08-12 19:54:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thought they would solve this with the Hubble scope. They don't know yet. They are still 'looking' for an answer.
2006-08-12 19:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe is not round. It is infinite. It has no boundary or edge.
2006-08-12 20:32:19 · answer #10 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋