2006-11-09 14:11:47 · 14 answers · asked by mared 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
God only knows.
2006-11-09 14:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by futureastronaut1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all, the actual size and expansion rate cannot be determined at this time, because we do not know where the the universe starts or ends or even the composition of its boundary.
There are several theories regarding the universe's shape and dimensions. One such idea is the concept of pocket universes where we may only be one among many (3 spatial and 1 time dimension).
Another idea is that our universe is bounded by a quantum boundary called a brane (we would occupy a 3-brane universe).
Other theories include co-existence and coincident dimensions (superposition).
There is some experimental results that would suggest that the universe is, in fact, flat rather than a sphere. So where is it expanding to?
There is a particle accelerator, slated to be operational in 2007, that may give scientist a deeper insight to these issues. For now, however, the boundary between (quantum) physics and philosophy is closer than most people feel comfortable with.
2006-11-09 22:36:17 · answer #2 · answered by Scarp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the big bang occur ed 13.7 billion years ago, as the best measurements indicate, than the *observable* universe should be 13.7 billion light years in radius. That could make somewhat 27.4 billion light years in diameter, except that this concept is meaningless as there is no real center that we can find...
That said, some theory, like the inflationary expansion theory, have a "bubble" where the universe is allowed to grow into, expanding much faster than the speed of light at some point in the distant past. The jury is out as to whether we should consider this as part of the universe itself, or even if this inflationary model is true and how big that bubble should be.
2006-11-09 22:26:58 · answer #3 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe is not 13.7 billion light years across. No one knows its size of even if it has a size. There are speculations but no theories. A theory in science is a hypothesis that has a large body of supporting evidence and which can be used to predict additional properties. There is not a single fact related to the size of the universe so by definition there is no theory.
2006-11-09 23:37:42 · answer #4 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
according to theory the universe is infinite. however we can only see a small fraction of it. The "visible universe expands constantly because there are stars that are so far away from us that even since the beginning of the universe their light has not reached us yet. The visible universe increases in size roughly 432000000 Kilometers per day in all directions relative to our vantage point
2006-11-09 22:17:44 · answer #5 · answered by Jonny B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All major cosmologists are claiming "finite but unbounded" at the moment, as I recall. 15.8 billion light-years is the rough size of the observable universe (the light cone from the Big Bang, the Minkowski cone).
2006-11-09 22:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by Charles G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The visible universe is about 13.7 light years in diameter. Beyond that, it's impossible to tell.
2006-11-09 22:14:26 · answer #7 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one can tell because the universe is on going never ends
2006-11-09 22:15:42 · answer #8 · answered by gordon_benbow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is impossible to get an even close to accurate measurement of the universe, because it is ever expanding and impossible to measure.
2006-11-09 22:24:33 · answer #9 · answered by moonfreak♦ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is known with concrete evidence.....in a decade it will a record break by research information..
It is big as a you think....but in real there is a limitation for every thing.
2006-11-10 00:06:53 · answer #10 · answered by M.R.Palaniappa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a scientist. the universe is infinite,never-ending.It'sso amazing
2006-11-10 18:36:52 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋