And if it stops.....What the hell is after it?????????????? Think about it for awhile...
2007-07-12 19:19:49 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
We tend to think of the universe as all the stuff and as space as where the stuff is. But space is part of the universe and it was created at the same time as all the stuff, about 14.5 billion years ago. It began as a single point which rapidly expanded, creating the universe as we know it today. If the universe is expanding at the speed of light in all directions, then the the distance from the center to the edge is 14.5 billion light years, or the disatnce from one edge to the other 29 billion light years. It's a lot, but it's not infinite. And beyond that...nothing at all. Not empty space, just...nothing. Mind-blowing, isn't it?
2007-07-12 19:29:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The universe is continuously expanding. Though some scientists think that the universe at some point will contract and come back together again. As a result, another massive collision will occur. I forgot what the theory was called regarding the contraction part, but the expanding part is obviously explained within the big bang theory. Space isn't really infinite, though one may feel that it is infinite due to prolonged travel in space and that stars away from us are several light years in distance.
Note: 1 light year is the distance that the speed of light covers in 1 year. So if a star is 8 light years away from earth, then it is 75686400000000000 meters away from earth.
Let's hypothetically say that you have a lot of fuel and 100% protection from harm in the surrounding environment. Scientists say that if you were to continue travelling in space in a straight line, you'd end up where you started. Space has a complex curve. An example where this occurs is earth. If you continously travel straight on earth, you'll end up exactly where you started, will you not??? Space behaves exactly the same way. There lies nothing beyond it. You'll be stuck inside this universe forever, therefore concluding there is no escape beyond this temperary reality.
Many believe including myself that the next official or permanent reality or realm will occur after death. The reality at that moment will soon be clear to you after then.
2007-07-13 02:36:26 · answer #2 · answered by brother Mohammed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember that question. It was in a book called "1001 questions about space"... published at least 40 years ago. The answer to the 2nd part of your question is "nothing... not even space". Space is comprised of many things... including the photons that we can see. If there is an end to space, there would be a void filled with nothing.
Maybe there is a word in some language on this planet that would describe this... however, I am not aware of it. We are left with trying to describe the concept with the words that we DO have.
I think the answer to the first part of your question is still under debate.... 27 to 29 billion lightyears is a good start for a diameter... but, how close are we from one side or the other??? is anyone's guess.
2007-07-13 02:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by Revenant Hamster 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Space does go on forever; it’s the matter inside it that is expanding. At this point we think the edge of the “matter bubble” is about 13.7 billion miles from its center. Beyond that? Well that is the realm of conjecture. Some people think there is just an empty void of space. Others think there could be other “bubbles” just like ours; but that they are so far away that the light from them just hasn’t reached us yet, or is too dim to be detected (they are over the universal horizon)Think of bubbles in a bottle of Sprite, (just without the bottle)
2007-07-13 02:46:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space: The final Frontier. "To boldy go where no one has gone before. To seek out new worlds....." and to answer what an astro kid would ask on a long voyage at the speed of light:: "...are we there yet? "
Seriously though, to answer your question is like to asking how long is a piece of string. The answer is simple. It is measured from the its middle to the end and double that number! So you see, Space is as big as you ever want it to to be. Just don't try measuring it!
2007-07-13 03:40:32 · answer #5 · answered by Star Catcher 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why that swearing? Space is linked to the universe. It is continually expanding. And what is after it? No way to know with the present knowledge.
2007-07-13 02:38:09 · answer #6 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The space in this room goes till it gets to the wall.
The space in space keeps going so long as there is room for it.
2007-07-13 02:38:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space is continually expanding .It has not stopped yet.
2007-07-13 04:48:20 · answer #8 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is called infinity. just like the energizer bunny it keep going and going and going. read Stephen Hawkins book A brief history in time.
2007-07-13 02:31:04 · answer #9 · answered by k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to our current understanding, space goes until you get back to where you started.
2007-07-13 02:27:55 · answer #10 · answered by socialdeevolution 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋