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| Posted By: Donken Posted On: Apr 20, 2006 Views: 1027 | The science regarding infinty and the universe? Hi! I've had a couple of debates regarding what the science of today says about the universe on another (non-english) forum. Is it finite or infinite? Or is it just likely but not confirmed theories put against each other with its own sides of scientists supporting the different theories? Before starting that debate I was absolutely sure that scientist agreed in the universe beeing finite, partly thanks to your interesting book Keith, but with my own logic I just can't see the possibility of an infinite universe. But several say otherwise and mean they have astronomers backing up there thoughts about the universe being infinite. So now I'm a bit unsure,, should I be? What does the latest science really say regarding the universe? Finite or infinite? |
| Posted By: Keith Mayes Posted On: Apr 27, 2006 Views: 1013 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? The latest science shows that the universe is expanding. No scientist in the world disputes this rather obvious fact. As the universe is expanding it cannot, by definition, be infinite. That's it in a sentence. Keith |
| Posted By: Donken Posted On: Apr 29, 2006 Views: 1007 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe Thanks for your reply Keith. And I sure agree with that too, how can something expanding be finite? But still I understand some claim otherwise. And if making a mathematical analogy, oo + 1 = oo is possible, indicating the left infinity expands, yet the result is infinity too. But the mathematics way of handling abstract infinities might be irrelavant here? Unfortunately I don't know of any particualar astronomer to quote. But as I had this other discussion I still took a look on Wikipedia. I think it's quite a good site to turn to for non-in-depth information. Although, one can never take anything for granted there. But here's a quotation from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe. "There is disagreement over whether the universe is indeed finite or infinite in spatial extent and volume. Many astronomers and cosmologists believe the universe is infinite due to recent findings in NASA's WMAP project supporting a flat (therefore infinite) universe." The ones I was debatting with also claimed there have been findings that goes against the theory of a finite universe, which probably was the same findings from the WMAP project then. (I don't know anything about that project though.) But what about this infinity talk then, is it bull****? |
| Posted By: Donken Posted On: Apr 29, 2006 Views: 1005 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe Sorry, got it wrong there, my second line should be: And I sure agree with that too, how can something expanding be INfinite? |
| Posted By: True Citizen of the World Posted On: Apr 29, 2006 Views: 1002 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? Donken, it is not easy as yet for scientist to say with a high level of confidence, that the universe is finite or not. The universe seems finite because it seems expanding. These conclusions are eminating from the Big Bang theory which now has been challenged by the Strings (or Superstrings) theory. This theory has relegated the position of the big-bang from an important event to an ordinary event in the history of universe. It says there are parallel universes, big-bangs keep happening all the time, and collision of universe sheets cause big-bang. The main problem in the Big-Bang theory was an answer to the question -- what happened at the instance of Big-Bang. This problem has been addressed by the Strimngs theory and is now being promoted as The Theory of Everything. In US massive particle accelerators are being made to find evidence of parallel universes which would give more credence to the Strings theory and would replace the Big-Bang forever. The answer to infinity of the Universe is not just as easy as a sentence. |
| Posted By: Routt Posted On: Mar 12, 2007 Views: 902 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? True Citizen, at this point, string theory is really more of a philosophy than a scientific proposal. But, regardless, how has the fact that the universe is expanding made the Big Bang an "ordinary event"? What the hell is a "universe sheet" and how could two collide? And how could particle accelerators "be made to find evidence" of them? Your post makes very little sense. |
| Posted By: Keith Mayes Posted On: Mar 12, 2007 Views: 900 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? I think you will find that he was referring to M theory, which is about colliding 'branes', short for membranes I believe. This theory states that at the point the branes collide a Big bang is created, and many are created which is why it is not a special event. It also explains gravity as the 'leakage' of attraction between branes. Its an interesting theory. |
| Posted By: Routt Posted On: Mar 13, 2007 Views: 896 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? Thanks, Keith, I didn't know he was referring to M Theory--admittedly I don't know much about it. But still, how can particle accelerators find evidence of other universes? |
| Posted By: Keith Mayes Posted On: Mar 13, 2007 Views: 894 | RE: The science regarding infinty and the universe? I have no idea! Any new particles they find will be of our own universe anyway. |