Inflation and measurement of cosmic bodies

In summary: The CMB was set free in all directions but it is not a body. Astronomical objects are not uniformly distributed, they have a tendency to aggregate. There are galaxies, clusters of galaxies, superclusters, walls and voids. You can search for "large scale structure of the universe" to get more information.In summary, the conversation discusses the measurement of cosmic bodies and the concept of inflation in the universe. The oldest light measured, the CMB, is currently about 46 billion light years away from us, but this does not necessarily mean that the body being measured is also 46 billion light years away. The conversation also mentions the large scale structure of the universe and suggests further reading on cosmological inflation.
  • #1
Negativ3
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TL;DR Summary
Question regarding inflation and the measurement of cosmic bodies
Hi,

Is it true that measurement proves the universe has inflated by 13.8 billion light years, and if so, how do we estimate the age or distance of those measurements?

What's giving me pause is my assumption that the oldest light measured (furthest away) is 13.8 billion light years old, but does that not make that body being measured in the observed position 13.8 billion light years equivalent in the past? Would that body relatively speaking, right now, be 27.6 billion light years away?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
Sort of correct, about 45.7 billion light-years away.

But the diameter of the observable universe is tricky to define. There are many logical traps an misconceptions possible. You might try starting here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable_universe
 
  • #3
Negativ3 said:
Summary:: Question regarding inflation and the measurement of cosmic bodies

Hi,

Is it true that measurement proves the universe has inflated by 13.8 billion light years, and if so, how do we estimate the age or distance of those measurements?

What's giving me pause is my assumption that the oldest light measured (furthest away) is 13.8 billion light years old, but does that not make that body being measured in the observed position 13.8 billion light years equivalent in the past? Would that body relatively speaking, right now, be 27.6 billion light years away?

Thanks
The inflation happened prior to the very hot and very dense state of the universe which we call big bang, about 13.8 billion years back. For more you might like to search ‘cosmological inflation’.

Talking about „light“ you seem to mean the CMB (cosmological microwave background -> easy to search) which was set free about 380000 years after the big bang. This light is *now* about 46 billion light years away from us as can be calculated from our knowledge of the expansion of the universe since then.

Talking about *body* I have no idea what you mean.
 
Last edited:

1. What is inflation in the context of the universe?

Inflation refers to the rapid expansion of the universe in its early stages, believed to have occurred within the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. This expansion is thought to have been driven by a hypothetical field called the inflaton, which caused a sudden burst of energy and expansion in the universe.

2. How is the inflation of the universe measured?

The inflation of the universe can be measured through various cosmological observations, such as the cosmic microwave background radiation and the large-scale structure of the universe. These observations can provide evidence for the rapid expansion of the universe in its early stages.

3. What are cosmic bodies?

Cosmic bodies are any objects that exist in the universe, such as planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. These bodies can range in size from small asteroids to massive clusters of galaxies.

4. How are cosmic bodies measured?

Cosmic bodies can be measured through various methods, such as using telescopes to observe their size, distance, and other characteristics. Scientists also use mathematical models and simulations to estimate the properties of these bodies.

5. Can inflation affect the measurement of cosmic bodies?

Yes, inflation can have an impact on the measurement of cosmic bodies. The rapid expansion of the universe in its early stages can affect the distance and size of these bodies, making it challenging to accurately measure their properties. However, scientists have developed techniques to account for inflation and make precise measurements of cosmic bodies.

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