The discussion centers on the nature of space, specifically addressing whether it is infinite or finite. Participants agree that while the observable universe is finite, with a diameter of approximately 93 billion light years, the unobservable universe may be infinite. Key concepts include the expansion of space, the implications of the Big Bang occurring around 14 billion years ago, and the significance of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) in understanding the universe's structure. The conversation highlights misconceptions about infinity and the potential for future paradigm shifts in our understanding of the universe.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, physicists, cosmologists, and anyone interested in the fundamental nature of the universe and the concepts of space and infinity.
Blueyes5804 said:I think of space as a landscape. an environment. different from our own, but a landscape still. self renewing.
by the way. do you know what neighborhood we live in in the universe? are we close to the core? on the edge? somewhere in the suburbs? Do you know if that's been figured out?
Blueyes5804 said:Thank You. so you're saying there is no "map" of the universe, and because of that, no galactic gps for us. ty. just wondering.
Blueyes5804 said:I would like to know where, in the universe, are we. the milky way I mean. are we in the middle, in the suburbs, out on the farm? where exactly? any ideas?
Blueyes5804 said:How typical that we would think we are the center of the universe! reminds me of when we thought the sun revolved around the earth! lol ty for all the feedback. I find it really interesting!
In Big Bang cosmology, the observable universe consists of the galaxies and other matter that we can in principle observe from Earth in the present day, because light (or other signals) from those objects has had time to reach us since the beginning of the cosmological expansion. Assuming the universe is isotropic, the distance to the edge of the observable universe is roughly the same in every direction—that is, the observable universe is a spherical volume (a ball) centered on the observer, regardless of the shape of the universe as a whole. Every location in the universe has its own observable universe which may or may not overlap with the one centered on the Earth.