Cosmic horizon of 42-billion light-years?

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In summary, according to a well-written FAQ on the topic, the radius of the observable universe can be calculated using a mathematical formula involving the speed of light and the age of the universe. This formula explains how the observable universe can be 42 billion light-years away despite the big bang occurring approximately 14 billion years ago.
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MACHO-WIMP
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I recently read the new Scientific American and in one of the articles it says that the observable universe can see a distance of 42 billion light-years away but my question is that the big bang is predicted to have occurred at approximately 14 billion years ago, so how can the observable universe be 42 billion light-years?
 
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There is a well written FAQ on this:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=506987

In mathematical terms, the radius of the observable universe is (REF: Introduction to Modern Cosmology, Eqn. A1.12):

ro = 3 c to

ro = radius of observable universe
c = speed of light in vacuum
to = age of universe

This formula will match your numbers.
 
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1. What is the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years?

The Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years is the maximum distance that light can travel since the beginning of the universe, also known as the observable universe.

2. How is the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years calculated?

The Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years is calculated by taking the age of the universe, which is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years, and multiplying it by the speed of light. This gives us a distance of approximately 42-billion light-years.

3. Is the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years fixed?

Yes, the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years is fixed and will not change. However, as the universe expands, the objects within the observable universe will appear to move further away from us, making the horizon seem larger.

4. Can we see beyond the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years?

No, we cannot see beyond the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years. This is because light from objects beyond this distance has not had enough time to reach us since the beginning of the universe.

5. How does the Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years affect our understanding of the universe?

The Cosmic Horizon of 42-billion light-years allows us to see and study objects that are billions of light-years away, giving us a better understanding of the history and evolution of the universe. It also helps us determine the size and age of the universe.

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