- #1
plin092
- 4
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- TL;DR Summary
- What is the farthest distance you can get from Earth before the expansion of the universe stops you?
We know that the large majority of galaxies we see can never be reached. We know in 100 billion years we will lose sight of any galaxy outside out local group (which will itself merge into one big galaxy). But what is the maximum distance you could theoretically go if you made it your #1 mission?
Say tomorrow, a ship leaves Earth going at 99.9999999% the speed of light. It carries on in one straight line, and continues to do so forever without slowing down. It is not concerned about getting back, and it can plow through anything it runs into. It is just concerned about getting as far away from Earth as possible.
How far would the ship go? I know it will definitely surpass a billion light years, since I’ve heard it speculated that 1 billion is the farthest away a stellar system could theoretically be artificially ”rescued” by humanity into our local group. Presumably someone not collecting resources, but just exploring, could go a few billion further and still make it back in time to not be “locked out”.
But how far could someone only concerned about maximum distance go? What is the maximum distance humanity could ever theoretically reach?
Say tomorrow, a ship leaves Earth going at 99.9999999% the speed of light. It carries on in one straight line, and continues to do so forever without slowing down. It is not concerned about getting back, and it can plow through anything it runs into. It is just concerned about getting as far away from Earth as possible.
How far would the ship go? I know it will definitely surpass a billion light years, since I’ve heard it speculated that 1 billion is the farthest away a stellar system could theoretically be artificially ”rescued” by humanity into our local group. Presumably someone not collecting resources, but just exploring, could go a few billion further and still make it back in time to not be “locked out”.
But how far could someone only concerned about maximum distance go? What is the maximum distance humanity could ever theoretically reach?
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