How can I conceptualise light and the known universe

In summary, light takes time to travel from its source to its destination, which means that what we see is actually a reflection of the past. This concept can be difficult to understand, but it helps to think of light as a constant speed and the images we see as snapshots of the past.
  • #1
Lewis123
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I am having a large amount of trouble conceptualising the idea of light taking time to reach places, how we are seeing into the past when we look further out and the idea of the known universe.

If someone could please elaborate on those points it would be much appreciated.
 
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  • #2
It takes time for light to travel from its point of origin to its destination. What you are seeing is the light given off from an object at the time that it left that object.
 
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  • #3
Lewis123 said:
I am having a large amount of trouble conceptualising the idea of light taking time to reach places, how we are seeing into the past when we look further out and the idea of the known universe.

If someone could please elaborate on those points it would be much appreciated.
What Borg said is pretty much all there is to it. Light travels at the speed c, so it can only move through the universe at that speed. Keep in mind that what we see is simply light reflected off objects and traveling through spacetime at speed c to us.
 
  • #4
Another way to think about this...
Imagine that someone 5 light years away takes a selfie and then could send that picture to you at the speed of light. It would take 5 years to reach you so you would be seeing what they looked like 5 years ago. Does that make more sense?
 

1. What is light and how is it conceptualized?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is conceptualized as a wave-particle duality, meaning it can behave as both a wave and a particle. This concept is known as wave-particle duality and is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics.

2. How does light travel through the universe?

Light travels through the universe at a constant speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. This is known as the speed of light. It can travel through a vacuum, such as outer space, as well as through transparent materials, such as air or water.

3. How does light interact with matter?

Light can interact with matter in three ways: absorption, reflection, and transmission. Absorption occurs when light is absorbed by matter, causing it to convert to other forms of energy. Reflection occurs when light is bounced off a surface, and transmission occurs when light passes through a material without being absorbed or reflected.

4. How do scientists study light and the known universe?

Scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to study light and the known universe. These include telescopes, spectroscopy, and computer simulations. These tools allow scientists to observe and analyze the properties of light as well as the objects and structures in the universe.

5. What are some theories about the origin of light and the known universe?

There are several theories about the origin of light and the known universe, including the Big Bang theory, the Steady State theory, and the Inflationary theory. These theories attempt to explain the creation and evolution of the universe, including the role of light in its formation and expansion.

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