years. if the universe started at a single point (the big bang theory) and is limited by the speed of light in it's expansion, should'nt the dimension of space (in light years) be equal or less than it's age (in years)
2006-08-19 23:13:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It could have overlapped others as well.
2006-08-19 23:21:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is good question, but the answer is very technical and elobrate. It made me take a good look at certain things after i read this question. Briefly, when they refer to the spacial dimentions on the universe they are using a concept called Comoving distance. This is very different from the regular spacial distance we are familiar with.
As Wikipedia says "For a "galaxy" towards or beyond the horizon, its "velocity", defined as comoving distance from the observer divided by the present cosmological time, can be greater than the speed of light."
Frankly, i think it is better that you carefully take a look at the concept of Comoving distance or Conformal distance yourself rather than me trying to give you a lengthy, and most likely, unsatisfactory answer. These things are very technical and hard to discuss in a short satisfactory way. So for a start, take a good look at following pages...
2006-08-20 07:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by Maverick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Light speed has nothing to do with the universe dimension.
Space itself is expanding and it has nothing to do with light speed. The expanding rate is in percents (for example 1% a year rate will mean 1 meter for every 100 meter, or 10ly in 1billion ly).
2006-08-20 06:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by gelrad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to them. The universe has no size (as such). It has no limits. It is infinite. The big bang is a load of nonsense and merely one of many cycles. Astronomers are constantly screwing it up so use your brain and make up your own mind. Chances are you will be closer to the truth than any professional star gazer.
2006-08-20 06:22:14 · answer #4 · answered by pieter U3 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scientists think the expansion happened, and is still happening at much faster than light speed.
2006-08-20 06:18:57 · answer #5 · answered by Einsteininium 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe this will help. Or then again, maybe not.
2006-08-20 07:20:16 · answer #6 · answered by SPLATT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋