whats the current status of the universe? is it expanding, open or contracting?
Well, i know that tests show that its still expanding.... but then how can we be sure whether the farthest ends of the universe have started to recoil/contract.
We wouldnt know cos this info to come to us will take so much time.
so how can we be sure?
2007-02-04 02:09:22 · 11 answers · asked by sh 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's expanding, and the rate of expansion is accelerating.
By measuring the light from type Ia supernovae, astronomers can calculate how much time has transpired between the explosion and it reaching earth. Measuring the red shift as well gives you a rate of expansion that's accelerating.
This has some worrying implications. If it continues unabated, eventually everything will be beyond our reach. The argument goes this way:
Assume the speed of light is the fastest you can go.
If everything is expanding away from us and accelerating, then at some points in the universe, matter will be expanding at the speed of light. This makes it impossible to catch up with it, or get to the matter beyond it.
In the end, every star system will be sitting in its own little "island" in the darkness, unable to get to anywhere else.
So the ultimate fate of the universe is to fade to darkness.
2007-02-04 02:18:28 · answer #1 · answered by Kesa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the tests show that it is expanding, and according to the big bang theory, there is no reason why the ends should be contracting. Contrary to popular belief, this is how the universe will meet its demise.
There will be no contracting, the universe will keep expanding at a slowly accelerating speed, until every terrestrial object is so far apart, meaning all thermal energy is so spread out, that the universe will meet absolute zero, and all molecular life will cease.
2007-02-04 10:55:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It cant be contracting because there is no end to the universe. It cant get smaller because IT IS FOREVER with no starting or finishing point. It cant get bigger or expand for the same reason. How can something expand when there are no limits to its size?
2007-02-04 10:15:16 · answer #3 · answered by darthfuknvader 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Current data indicates that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
2007-02-04 10:15:35 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We can tell that is still expanding due to the fact that object such has nearby galaxies and others are still moving away from us. That is your answer. The Universe is still expanding.
2007-02-04 12:43:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a believer in the religion of Islam.
In our holy book ( the Quran) it states that the world will be expanding, and the populations of the world will be growing as well.
So, with science proving so www.allahexists.com (a science website proving the Quran ) it explains how the world is expanding and growing more for the people to live in this earth.
www.alislam.org/library/articles/new/THE_EXPANDING_UNIVERSE.pdf
Peace be upon you. Islam.
2007-02-04 10:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by Phlow 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep an eye on your clock. They say that when the Universe starts contracting, time will reverse its self. So, if you see your clock going backwards you will know what's going on.
2007-02-04 10:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by Studly Jim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its expanding
2007-02-04 10:12:14 · answer #8 · answered by Krayden 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We can't be sure. Just like anything in science, we can only take our best guess based on the information we have, and hope the information we DON'T have matches it.
2007-02-04 10:13:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you are about ready to ... pop..your popper !!...your brain is certainly expanding like the universe surely is...but suppose it is like a rubber band...(universe or brain)...keep expanding it...eventually it will...pop..(snap).....
2007-02-04 10:16:49 · answer #10 · answered by ozzy chik... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋