Could gravitational lensing prove the universe to be older?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of gravitational lensing and how it can be used to estimate the age of the universe. The question is raised about whether looking at the furthest galaxies for gravitational lensing could potentially show that the universe is older and bigger than previously thought. However, there is an observational limit to the universe called the surface of last scattering, which means that we can only see up to a certain point in the past. Therefore, it is not possible to observe anything older than 13.7 billion years in the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • #1
TerryHM
7
0
This is only my second post and I am a novice. So please excuse me if this is a naive post.

Gravitational lensing around galaxies shows more distant galaxies hidden behind them. We estimate the universe is 13.8billion years old because that's the limit we can observe into 'the past'.


My question is this.

What if we were to look at the furthest galaxies for gravitational lensing? As the light we are observing has already traveled to the point at which we are observing the lensing effect. Is it not possible to show the universe is in fact older and bigger?

Is this a stupid question or a genuine possibility? Either way, an explanation would be appreciated
 
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  • #2
There is an observational limit to the universe called the surface of last scattering. EM radiation more distant/ancient was trapped in a plasma that occupied the entire observable universe. That plasma persisted until the universe cooled enough to become transparent. We know when that occurred [about 13.7 billion years ago] and will never see anything older than that in the EM spectrum.
 

1. How does gravitational lensing provide evidence for the age of the universe?

Gravitational lensing occurs when the path of light from a distant object is bent by the gravitational pull of a massive object, such as a galaxy or cluster of galaxies. This bending of light can be used to measure the mass distribution of the lensing object, which can in turn provide information about the age of the universe. By studying the distribution of matter in the universe and how it has evolved over time, scientists can estimate the age of the universe.

2. What other evidence supports the idea that the universe is older than previously thought?

In addition to gravitational lensing, other observations such as the cosmic microwave background radiation, the expansion rate of the universe, and the abundance of elements also support the idea that the universe is older than previously thought. These pieces of evidence, when combined with the observations from gravitational lensing, provide a more complete picture of the age of the universe.

3. Can gravitational lensing be used to determine the exact age of the universe?

No, gravitational lensing can only provide an estimate of the age of the universe. While it is a powerful tool for studying the distribution of matter in the universe, it is just one piece of evidence that is used to estimate the age of the universe. Other factors, such as the initial conditions of the universe and the rate of expansion, also play a role in determining the age of the universe.

4. Are there any limitations to using gravitational lensing to determine the age of the universe?

Yes, there are limitations to using gravitational lensing for this purpose. One limitation is that the lensing object must be massive enough to significantly bend the light from the background object. This means that gravitational lensing can only be used to study a limited range of distances in the universe. Additionally, the accuracy of the age estimate depends on the current understanding of the distribution of matter in the universe, which is still an active area of research.

5. How does the concept of dark matter play a role in using gravitational lensing to determine the age of the universe?

Dark matter, which is a type of matter that does not emit or interact with light, is thought to make up a significant portion of the mass in the universe. The distribution of dark matter affects the way that light is bent in gravitational lensing, so understanding its distribution is crucial in using this method to determine the age of the universe. However, there is still much that is unknown about dark matter, making it a complex factor in this calculation.

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