From what I understand the Hubble space telescope has convinced cosmologists that the expansion of the universe is accellerating. If this is the case, are we forced to believe in a 5th force of nature or anti-gravity? Or is the explanation something more mundane?
2007-06-16 11:23:51 · 8 answers · asked by Robert K 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Right now the effect is attributed to "dark energy" as a place holder. However, the place holder is said to account for about 75% of the mass of the universe. No one knows if it's a new force or a minifestation of some field or whatever for that matter. It may not even exist but may have a known explanation. For now it's a mystery but it's real.
2007-06-16 11:57:10 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Two things must be considered when considering an accelerated expansion
The universe is a finite entity so it must have a maximum size and because it is finite it had to have a beginning and therefore a minimum size
A single quanta of space cannot expand, the expansion is due to a diminishing density of space,there must be a minimum density beyond which space cannot exist.
The red shift is interpreted as indicating an accelerated expansion but it must stop eventually.
If the red shift is interpreted incorrectly there must be another reason for it since we know it exists.
If a galaxy happened to be an end stage in the evolution of a universe and the activity at the galactic center was causing a diminishing density of space a galaxy would exhibit a red shift but the red shift would be seen from any side and we can only see one side of all galaxies.
If you could go to the other side of another galaxy light from it would be red shifted and the galaxy you just left would have a greater red shift and would appear to be accelerating away in the other direction.when before we left it was red shifted from the other direction.
The farthest galaxies we see to-day do not exist anymore.
Reasonable as the accelerated expansion may seem it just cannot be.
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2007-06-16 19:25:50 · answer #2 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, scientist believe in something called 'dark energy' that supposedly is not visible, but we know it is there because our universe is expanding. They say that if dark energy stops pulling and disappears, the universe will condense again just like it was before the big bang. This is called 'The Big Crunch'. But if it accelerates too much, the universe will 'rip'. This theory is called 'The Big Rip'.This will leave distances between galaxies so cold that our universe will be a frozen waste land. This theory is 'The Big Chill'.
2007-06-17 21:16:22 · answer #3 · answered by El.. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The matter scattered away by the Big Bang formed a "bubble" which is still expanding.
Although the expansion rate of the bubble may be steady, the distance between the galaxies on its surface will increase at an ever faster rate, because of the geometric ratio between an expanding diameter and an expanding surface of a sphere.
2007-06-16 18:39:00 · answer #4 · answered by NaughtyBoy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are calling it "dark energy". Einstein called it the "cosmological constant", but later retracted his invention of that constant, calling it his biggest mistake
So basically, no, it is not something mundane. It is something quite mysterious. It might be anti-gravity or a 5th force or "dark energy" or whatever. They just don't really know yet.
2007-06-16 20:09:24 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Come back in 10 years and ask your question again... currently no one knows why the inflation of the universe is accelerating but the answers are coming - that is the beauty of 21st century science.
2007-06-16 18:45:24 · answer #6 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Universe is not really expanding as you belive. It is actually a closed finite system( See Einstein's statement).
If that is the case its not going to increase in size.
What is being observed is only the Recession velocities of Galaxies within a finite containment which is the resultof a normal Gravity power transfer beween moving celestial bodies.
Gravity depending on which system is refered to as macro or micro is both pushing masses together or pushing them appart(repulsion).
2007-06-16 18:37:31 · answer #7 · answered by goring 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i dont know what your trying to say but ill tell you this, their was a big bang, a giant explosion that released hydrogen into the universe and its still expanding, in other words the big bang is still exploding and eventually it will stop and snap bad into the ball that it started as before the big bang
2007-06-16 20:25:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋