Expanding Universe: Galaxies & Matter Explained

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the expanding universe, exploring whether this expansion is due to galaxies moving apart or the production of new matter. It also touches on the implications of this expansion, including theories about the universe's future and philosophical questions regarding existence and the potential for multiple universes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the expansion of the universe refers to galaxies moving apart or the creation of new matter.
  • One participant asserts that galaxies are moving apart, indicating an increase in space without the production of new matter.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that the universe is not only expanding but also accelerating, comparing it to a baseball thrown that speeds up rather than slows down.
  • A participant speculates about the possibility of the universe collapsing and undergoing repeated cycles of big bangs, raising questions about the nature of existence and the potential for life to persist through such events.
  • Another participant suggests that the universe may ultimately lead to a "big freeze," where matter becomes too dispersed for life to exist, contrasting this with the notion of the big bang creating the universe from nothing.
  • One participant recalls a documentary mentioning an "invisible layer" at the end of the universe, prompting questions about its significance and whether it represents a limit to expansion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the nature of the universe's expansion, with some agreeing on aspects of acceleration while others propose different outcomes for the universe's future. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing theories and philosophical questions raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the implications of the universe's expansion, the nature of existence before the big bang, and the potential for multiple universes. There are unresolved assumptions regarding the fate of the universe and the conditions necessary for life.

Rubix
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When people say the universe is expanding, do they mean that the galaxies etc are moving farther apart from each other (i wonder how fast o.O)? or does that mean that more matter is being produced somewhere in the universe, causing it to expand...
 
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Galaxies are moving apart and that means there's more space. No new matter, though.
 
Not only the universe is expanding, it is actually accelerating. It's like throwing a baseball and it moves faster and faster rather than gradually slows down.
 
then what? after it is done accelerating it compacts again and "the big bang" happens again? if so, i wonder how many times this has happened? Has this happened an infinite number of times? will history repeat itself? Has the Earth been here before the big bang? What's the point to life if we cannot possibly last past the big bang? Maybe some life forms have survived a big bang? gone past the universe assuming there are no boundary's, which i doubt there are. Are there more than one universe? There are planets, solar systems, galaxies, and universes? Maybe something beyond universes? Most of the questions will probably never be answered by humans, but maybe they will? We would have to leave Earth someday in order to answer these questions, and survive other obstacles we don't have to worry about for now, gamma ray bursts, black holes, the works. How can we possibly leave the Earth as a human race if we cannot come together in harmony with other people on this earth? In order to answer and achieve this, people need to start thinking for the greater good, not for themselves. This has caused corruption in governments and company's as we all know, limiting our abilitys as humans.

anyone care to continue my rant or encourage another?
 
The universe is going to keep accelerating so another big bang isn't likely under this theory. Actually, quite the opposite might happen, the big...freeze? With so much space, all matter will spread out due to the natural entropy of the universe. Billions of years later there will only be black holes and they will eventually die off leaving all the matter in the universe too spread out making it impossible for life. Its hard to imagine but before the big bang, there was nothing. Period. So technically the big band created the universe in a sense.
 
Interesting. I remember i saw a documentary of discovery science 2 years ago where a scientist mentioned something about an invisible layer (some sort of a shield) at the end of the universe. I am pretty sure i heard that right. If so, then what is the meaning of that shield? Could it be limit of expansion or...
 

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