i kinda find it hard to believe sometimes. is there any proof?
2007-02-22 16:22:54 · 9 answers · asked by Renee 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It is pretty hard to imagine either way isn't it? Because if it is limited, what it is expanding into>? The best evidence seems to point to that it is limited. Why? Well several reasons, the one taht convinces me most is : We can measure distant galaxies and they are (the majority at least) moving away from us. If the universe was infinite would it be expanding?
2007-02-22 16:36:05 · answer #1 · answered by Ordin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question is an aged old one - and no one has any proof to offer you with their theories and opinions.
For instance, if I were to say no, it's not infinite, it's finite and therefore, necessarily has dimensions. You would surely ask me quickly - then what's on the other side?
On the other hand, if I were to say yes, it's infinite. A logical followup question would be why the night sky isn't infinitely bright - since no matter how dim or how far away the stars are, if there is an infinite number of them, the sum of their light would also be infinite.
Perhaps we are trapped in our four dimensions and we can't apply this reference to the universe. Perhaps if we traveled a "straight" path across the entire universe, we would eventually end where we started. And perhaps the term "space" has no meaning without objects in it to give it meaning - distance, relative positions and so on.
We may never know for sure - but that won't stop us from seeking answers.
2007-02-22 16:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Renee ... The last I heard, the entirety of the universe seems to have no end; there's no center, as well.
I said "seems" because the scientific community has probably changed their collective minds about this several times over time. However, they've looked and looked and looked, apparently, but they cannot yet see where the universe stops ... IF it stops, that is.
When you think on a scale this immense, whether you believe in a supreme being or not, you just have to wonder where in heck everything came from. And if you're going to think and broaden your wonder THAT much, then the ultimate question is, "Why is there ANYthing?"
Proof you asked for? No, I don't think there's any proof, Renee ... not yet, I mean.
Good question, Renee.
2007-02-22 16:30:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you conceive of any way that it might end? . . . . Maybe a big brick wall somewhere out there? Then what is on the other side of the brick wall? Or maybe the brick wall goes on forever? Or maybe we're inside of a big balloon-like structure?
No, I don't think there's any "proof" that space is infinite. But until someone comes up with some pretty convincing evidence to the contrary, well . . . .
2007-02-22 16:34:23 · answer #4 · answered by tychobrahe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Space.com, the universe is at least 156 billion light years wide.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_040524.html
Dr. Janna Levin suspects that an infinite universe is akin to a flat Earth. She thinks that if one traveled in a straight line into space, from earth, one would eventually encounter earth again.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/08/1038950273151.html
There is no proof as to the size of the universe, however. Even the size of the "observable universe" is highly debated.
2007-02-22 16:39:08 · answer #5 · answered by torklugnutz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What can anyone predict with 100% accuracy, other than, perhaps, the past? But even the past can be challenged on so many fronts; subjective interpretation, perception, philosophy, and actual quantum physics.
In quantum physics there is some speculation that all of human experience is merely YOUR own thoughts that may or may not exist in some ethereal state, and that no one, including those tha have responded to this question, actually exists.
2007-02-22 17:34:24 · answer #6 · answered by Scarp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its hard to believe because human brains are limited to only a certain amount of information. we will never ever know if the universe goes on forever because we would never be able to find out. theres no proof it goes on forever but theres proof that its so incredibly ginormous
2007-02-23 04:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by . 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only can there be no "proof", but modern theory does not claim or consider that space goes on forever.
2007-02-22 17:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on star wars it doesnt on futurama it doesnt but here it does go to nasa and look around youll find it
2007-02-22 18:43:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋