If spacetime is not itself expanding, what are distant galaxies expanding into?

Question

If spacetime is itself expanding at what rate does it expand?

Should we assume spacetime expands at the speed of light because it can? Or just enough to contain matter and energy so also must be the speed of light.

Answer 1

I believe it is expanding. The speed og light, c, is the cosmic speed limit for objects or radiation within spacetime. Spacetime itself can (hypothetically) expand faster than c, though what the limit to this might be I don't know. Special relativity is not violated since there is no object being accelerated.

Answer 2

actually, you got it wrong, spacetime is expanding! The galaxies themselves are not moving, it is the spactime that the galaxy is on that is moving. Does that make sense? As for what the spacetime is expanding into, i would have to say nothing. If you ask me to define nothing, i will tell you that i cant...nobody can...

Answer 3

Nobody knows the theory is that space is expanding at the same rate as the universe and of course time with it

Answer 4

Good question... When you look at distant galaxies you are looking back in time. but I don't think we have technology to look beyond the abyss or edge of the universe. Since we don't know where the edge of the universe is we are not able to make conclusions about what (if anything) lies beyond. Space time may always exist.

Answer 5

Nowt, the speed of light 2.997 452 Cosmic speed limit. Time is light + visa versa, nothing can exceed the speed light. That's what I understand.

Answer 6

the universe is endless so why and how could it expand,

Answer 7

Empty space.

Answer 8

Last i heard, it was contracting so we better watch out..