What will the universe *look* like in 15 billion years from now ?

In summary, this paper discusses the future of studying cosmology and the disappearance of evidence of the Hubble expansion. It also touches on the end of cosmology and the return of a static universe, which will make it difficult for future observers to determine the true nature of the universe. This paper was written by cosmologist Lawrence Krauss and was submitted for the 2007 Gravity Research Foundation Essay Competition. It includes 10 pages and 4 figures.
  • #1
Nikarasu M
17
0
oops

thread here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=400913
 
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=400913
 
Last edited:
  • #3
sorry mods - wrong forum ...

please delete
 
  • #4
This is not the perfect paper but it can help.
http://arxiv.org/abs/0704.0221

It is about what it will be like to study cosmology at some time far in the future. What will happen to the stars and galaxies that we observe now, to learn about the universe? What will happen to the CMB, the cosmic microwave background, which now we can observe and learn things from?

This paper is by a famous cosmologist named Lawrence Krauss.
http://arxiv.org/abs/0704.0221
The Return of a Static Universe and the End of Cosmology

Lawrence M. Krauss (1,2), Robert J. Scherrer (2) ((1) Case Western Reserve University, (2) Vanderbilt University)
(Submitted on 2 Apr 2007 (v1), last revised 27 Jun 2007 (this version, v3))
We demonstrate that as we extrapolate the current LambdaCDM universe forward in time, all evidence of the Hubble expansion will disappear, so that observers in our "island universe" will be fundamentally incapable of determining the true nature of the universe, including the existence of the highly dominant vacuum energy, the existence of the CMB, and the primordial origin of light elements. With these pillars of the modern Big Bang gone, this epoch will mark the end of cosmology and the return of a static universe. In this sense, the coordinate system appropriate for future observers will perhaps fittingly resemble the static coordinate system in which the de Sitter universe was first presented.
Comments: 5th prize 2007 Gravity Research Foundation Essay Competition,
 
  • #5


The universe in 15 billion years will likely look very different from how it does now. It is currently expanding at an accelerating rate, and this expansion is expected to continue. This means that the galaxies and structures we see today will have moved even further apart, making the universe appear even more sparse and empty.

Additionally, the stars in our own galaxy will have burned out and died, leaving behind only cold, dark remnants such as white dwarfs and neutron stars. New stars will continue to form, but they will be much smaller and dimmer, as the universe's supply of gas and dust will have been depleted.

On a larger scale, the universe will also look significantly different. The expansion of the universe will have caused the galaxies to become more spread out, making it more difficult for them to merge and form larger structures. This means that the universe will likely be filled with isolated galaxies, rather than the clusters and superclusters we see today.

It is also possible that the universe will continue to expand until all matter is so spread out that it can no longer interact with each other. This would result in a cold, dark, and featureless universe, known as the "heat death."

In summary, the universe in 15 billion years will likely be a much colder, darker, and more isolated place compared to what we see today. The structures and objects that we are familiar with now will have drastically changed or disappeared completely. While it is impossible to predict exactly what the universe will look like in the distant future, we can be sure that it will continue to evolve and change in ways that we can't even imagine.
 

1. What will the universe look like in 15 billion years from now?

In 15 billion years, the universe will have undergone many changes, including the formation of new stars and galaxies, the depletion of some existing stars, and the expansion of the universe. The overall appearance of the universe will depend on factors such as the rate of expansion and the distribution of matter.

2. Will the universe still exist in 15 billion years?

It is currently believed that the universe will continue to exist in some form for billions of years to come. However, the exact nature of the universe at that time is difficult to predict and will depend on a variety of factors, including dark energy and the rate of expansion.

3. Will the colors in the universe change in 15 billion years?

The colors of the universe will likely change over time as stars and galaxies evolve. However, these changes will be gradual and may not be noticeable to the human eye. Additionally, the expansion of the universe may also affect the perceived colors of objects due to the stretching of light waves.

4. What role will dark matter play in the universe in 15 billion years?

Dark matter is currently believed to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass. In 15 billion years, it will continue to interact with other matter through gravity, potentially influencing the structure and evolution of the universe. However, the exact role of dark matter in the future universe is still a topic of ongoing research.

5. How will the observable universe change in 15 billion years?

The observable universe, which is the portion of the universe we can currently see, will likely continue to expand in 15 billion years. This means that the number of visible galaxies and stars may decrease as they move further away from us due to the expansion of space. However, new objects may also become visible as they form and come into our observable range.

Similar threads

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
3
Views
583
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
627
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top