2006-12-10 13:33:22 · 4 answers · asked by Shannon_Pierce 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
This is known as Olber's Paradox, and there are several explanations for a dark night sky. For example, even if there are infinitely many stars and no obscuring gases, a fractal distribution of stars, such as Cantor's Dust, will result in a dark night sky. See the Wikipedia article giving some alternative explanations. Other astronomical observations, such as redshift, helped point to the currently accepted theory of an expanding universe, but Olber's Paradox alone does not have an unique resolution.
2006-12-10 13:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Olbers' Paradox starts by assuming the universe is both infinite and eternal. The solution doesn't require an expanding universe - it can be finite or have a beginning or both.
2006-12-11 17:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by Iridflare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the universe was static, then the night sky would be bright like day, because everywhere you looked would be a star! Just asl Stphen Hawking! or read...A Brief History of Time
2006-12-10 22:25:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Google - RED SHIFT
The experts don't even know how to guess what's really going on out there.
2006-12-10 21:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by Happy Camper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋