Age of Universe: Impact of Expanding Acceleration?

In summary, the accelerated expansion of the universe does not affect the age of the universe, but it does affect the distances calculated. The currently accepted age of 13.7 billion years takes into account the accelerated expansion. There are online calculators available, such as the Cosmology Calculator Lite and Advanced Cosmology Calculator, that allow for modifications to variables like neutrino masses. The Light Travel-time Calculator can also help translate light travel-time into real cosmological distances. As for the nature of the accelerated expansion, there is not enough data yet to determine if it is a constant acceleration or an accelerating acceleration.
  • #1
daviar
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Assuming it has only been recently discovered that the expanding universe is expanding at an accelerated rate, and assuming the calculation of the age and distances to galaxies has been based on the old rate of expansion. Does that not affect the estimate of how old the universe is? Does that not also affect the distances calculated?

Is the accelerated expansion a constant acceleration? Or is it an accelerating acceleration?
 
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  • #2
It does not affect the age of the universe, only its size.
 
  • #3
daviar said:
Assuming it has only been recently discovered that the expanding universe is expanding at an accelerated rate, and assuming the calculation of the age and distances to galaxies has been based on the old rate of expansion. Does that not affect the estimate of how old the universe is? Does that not also affect the distances calculated?

The 13.7 billion year age quoted these days is based on the accelerated expansion effects being taken into account. Prof. Ned Wright, at UCLA, has an online calculator that let's you modify the variables and see the results...
"[URL [Broken]
Cosmology Calculator Lite[/URL]
"[URL [Broken]
Advanced Cosmology Calculator[/URL] ...lets you put in neutrino masses and other things.
"[URL [Broken]
Light Travel-time Calculator[/URL] ...usually the media quotes the light travel-time as the distance to very distant galaxies (which it's not.) This calculator let's you translate that into real cosmological distances.

Is the accelerated expansion a constant acceleration? Or is it an accelerating acceleration?

Not enough data yet to tell.
 
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1. What is the current estimated age of the universe?

The current estimated age of the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. This is based on observations from the cosmic microwave background radiation and the expansion rate of the universe.

2. How does the expansion acceleration impact the age of the universe?

The expansion acceleration of the universe, also known as dark energy, causes the universe to expand at an increasing rate. This means that the age of the universe is constantly increasing, and it will continue to do so as long as the expansion acceleration persists.

3. What evidence supports the theory of expanding acceleration in the universe?

The main evidence for expanding acceleration in the universe comes from observations of distant supernovae, which show that the expansion of the universe is accelerating rather than slowing down. Other evidence includes the observed distribution of galaxies and the cosmic microwave background radiation.

4. Is the impact of expanding acceleration uniform throughout the universe?

No, the impact of expanding acceleration is not uniform throughout the universe. The distribution of dark energy, which is responsible for the acceleration, is not uniform and can vary in different regions of the universe. This can lead to variations in the expansion rate and ultimately impact the age of the universe.

5. How does the age of the universe relate to our understanding of the Big Bang theory?

The age of the universe is a crucial piece of evidence that supports the Big Bang theory. The current estimated age of 13.8 billion years aligns with the predicted age of the universe based on the Big Bang model. Additionally, the expansion of the universe and the presence of cosmic microwave background radiation also support the Big Bang theory.

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