The acceleration of the expansion is over time, not over space. The expansion rate is the same everywhere at any given time. We can see the expansion by looking far away because when we look far away, we are looking into the past.keepit said:
It's accelerating today. The acceleration began a few billion years ago, and has been increasing since (it is expected to limit out at slightly more acceleration than the current value).helios1 said:
Chalnoth said:
Basically, the simplest model that explains the observations is the cosmological constant, which is currently at around 70% of the energy density of the observable universe. Other stuff will dilute away, but the density of the cosmological constant will stay the same. Once everything else has diluted away from the expansion, the acceleration will be a constant.narrator said:
The accelerating expansion of the universe is a phenomenon where the rate at which the universe is expanding is increasing over time. This means that objects in the universe are getting farther apart from each other at a faster rate.
Scientists have observed the redshift of light from distant galaxies, which indicates that they are moving away from us. By measuring the redshift, we can calculate the rate at which the universe is expanding. Additionally, studies of supernovae have shown that the expansion of the universe is accelerating.
The exact cause of the accelerating expansion of the universe is still unknown. However, scientists believe that it may be due to a mysterious force called dark energy. This force is thought to make up about 70% of the universe and has a repulsive effect on matter, causing the expansion to accelerate.
The accelerating expansion of the universe has several implications for our understanding of the universe. It suggests that the universe will continue to expand indefinitely, potentially leading to the "Big Freeze" scenario where the universe becomes too cold and dark for life to exist. It also challenges our current theories of gravity and may require a new understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe.
Yes, scientists use various methods to measure the rate of the accelerating expansion of the universe, such as observing supernovae, studying the cosmic microwave background radiation, and measuring the distribution of galaxies. These measurements can help us understand the rate at which the universe is expanding and the role of dark energy in this expansion.