Black holes and the accelerating expansion of the Universe

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the accelerating expansion of the Universe and whether this phenomenon could be influenced by time dilation effects from the black hole at the center of our galaxy. Participants clarify that the effects of general relativity, such as time dilation, are negligible at the distances involved and would not significantly impact measurements of cosmic expansion. They emphasize that if such effects were substantial, they could be compensated for in calculations, as demonstrated by technologies like GPS. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of general relativity in this context. Overall, the notion that black holes could cause observable time compression on a cosmic scale is dismissed as unlikely.
agreen
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Ok; I'm not a physicist... I'm not a mathematician... I'm not even in school, I'm just a computer guy who watches the Science channel a lot :) So don't yell at me... be gentle :)

I've heard and read that the rate of expansion of the Universe may be increasing.

Is it possible that it only appears that way, because we are experiencing time compressing effects from the black hole at the center of our galaxy? In other words, time is going slower for us as compared to other galaxies further out?
 
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No promises about being gentle ;)
agreen said:
Is it possible that it only appears that way, because we are experiencing time compressing effects from the black hole at the center of our galaxy? In other words, time is going slower for us as compared to other galaxies further out?
Nope. The general relativity (GR) effects (e.g. time dilation) are entirely negligible this far away. Those effects are only significant within a few schwarzschild radii of the BH.

But also, if the explanation was something like what you're suggesting--we'd be able to tell. If we were effected enough by GR time dilation to effect those measurements (i'm not sure if/how that could even hypothetically happen), it wouldn't be very hard to compensate. As long as you stay outside the event horizon, GR enables extremely accurate calculations and compensations (e.g. for GPS).

Good question though.
 
Very cool, thanks for the explanation :)
 
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