2007-01-19 09:46:11 · 6 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The so-called cosmological constant was a kind of fudge factor Einstein stuck in his equations so that they would not show an expanding universe. In his time, everyone believed that the universe was static and unchanging, so he went along with the crowd. Then when Edwin Hubble came along and proved beyond a doubt that the universe WAS expanding Einstein was forced to admit he was wrong. Today, the mysterious and totally unknown force that appears to be causing the expansion rate of the universe to be increasing has come to be known as the cosmological constant, along with a couple of other names too.
2007-01-19 09:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was Einstein's fudge factor to keep the universe static (neither expaning nor contracting), but since the discovery that the universe is expanding the need for a cosmological constant is really not needed (either zero or really small). If Einstein would have trusted his equations he could of stated much earlier than the actual discovery that in order to satisfy his equations the universe had to be either contracting or expanding.
2007-01-19 18:08:49 · answer #2 · answered by Someone who cares 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Braxton_paul's mostly right, but calling dark energy the Cosmological Constant isn't just a case of reusing an old term for a new phenomenon. The cosmological constant is now identified with vacuum energy, and when dark energy was first discovered it was thought that they might be the same thing. It turns out that vacuum energy is about 120 orders of magnitude too large, so dark energy isn't the cosmological constant.
2007-01-19 18:34:14 · answer #3 · answered by Iridflare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That the universe can be explained with or without the constant. Which means there is possibly something or some factor at play we don't fully understand. If the Universe is expanding and the original theory of relativity is correct and take this into account, then why, when using the contanst, does it also work, if the universe is expanding.
2007-01-19 18:00:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That empty space contains a repulsive force, counterbalancing gravity and keeping the universe from imploding. Einstein abandoned it when the big bang was discovered by Edwin Hubble, but it made a comeback when the Hubble telescope discovered that the expansion rate of the universe is accellerating.
2007-01-19 17:53:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that we are boldly going forward cause we cannot find reverse
2007-01-19 17:49:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋