2006-09-07 08:54:46 · 6 answers · asked by twjones1029 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
G'day TWJones,
Thanks for your question.
It seems space is expanding between objects in the universe.
The metric expansion of space is a key part of science's current understanding of the universe, whereby space itself is described by a metric which changes over time. It explains how the universe expands in the Big Bang model, a feature of our universe supported by all cosmological experiments, astrophysics calculations, and measurements to date.
The expansion of space is conceptually different from other kinds of expansions and explosions that are seen in nature. Our understanding of the "fabric of the universe" (spacetime) requires that what we see normally as "space" and "distance" are not absolutes, but are determined by a metric that can change. In the metric expansion of space, rather than objects in a fixed "space" moving apart into "emptiness", it is the space that contains the objects which is itself changing. It is as if without objects themselves moving, space is somehow "growing" in between them.
Because it is the metric defining distance that is changing rather than objects moving in space, this expansion (and the resultant movement apart of objects) is not restricted by the speed of light upper bound that results from special relativity.
Theory and observations suggest that very early in the history of the universe, there was an "inflationary" phase where this metric changed very rapidly, and that the remaining time-dependence of this metric is what we observe as the so-called Hubble expansion, the moving apart of all gravitationally unbound objects in the universe. The expanding universe is therefore a fundamental feature of the universe we inhabit - a universe fundamentally different from the static universe Albert Einstein first considered when he developed his gravitational theory.
I have enclosed sources for your reference.
Regards
2006-09-07 09:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Expanding into itself. The size and shape of the universe is already determined through the laws of physics and through time the expansion will complete its journey to the beginning.
2006-09-07 19:52:38 · answer #2 · answered by aorton27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put, its expanding into time. It all has to do with the whole time as the 4th dimension, space time continum sort of stuff. Very conceptual. Humans just cant comprehend thigns like that, just like a dog cant comprehend mathematecis, etc...
2006-09-07 12:19:00 · answer #3 · answered by cupwing2k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
more universe
2006-09-07 08:58:56 · answer #4 · answered by Jack Tired 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a bigger universe
2006-09-07 08:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by bretttwarwick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a super absorbancy tampon.
2006-09-07 08:58:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋