Huge Hole Found in the Universe

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    Hole Universe
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the discovery of a large void in the universe, exploring its characteristics, implications for baryonic and dark matter, and comparisons to other known voids. Participants raise questions about the measurement of matter in these voids and the theoretical implications of their existence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the amount of baryonic matter present in the void, questioning how measurements are made and what types of matter (e.g., hydrogen gas) are involved.
  • There are discussions on how dark matter is assessed in these voids, with some suggesting that its presence is inferred from the behavior of baryonic matter.
  • Participants express difficulty in finding specific academic articles related to the void, with suggestions on search strategies and resources.
  • One participant mentions the Bootes Void as the largest known void and speculates that other voids may similarly lack dark matter.
  • There is a reference to a controversial hypothesis suggesting that the void could be an imprint of another universe, raising questions about the validity of current cosmological models.
  • Some participants challenge the notion that the absence of dark matter in a void is strange, arguing that it aligns with gravitational theories regarding the formation of voids.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of the void's characteristics, with no consensus reached on the nature of dark matter in these regions or the validity of certain hypotheses. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of measurements and the theoretical implications of the void's existence.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on definitions of baryonic and dark matter, the challenges in measuring these quantities in voids, and the unresolved nature of some theoretical claims regarding the implications of the void's existence.

  • #31
bob012345 said:
What if you are looking through a wormhole that connects much further?
Then you are talking about a different spacetime, one that includes such wormholes. The behaviour of it might (not necessarily will, but might) be very different from the spacetime being modeled here. If we were to find evidence of such wormholes we would have to reevaluate the plausibility of this model.
 
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  • #32
When I saw the title, I thought of this:

1603309721633.png
 
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  • #33
bob012345 said:
What if you are looking through a wormhole that connects much further?
A finite speed of light over a finite length of time gives a finite distance. So the observable universe would still be finite, even if the total universe is not homeomorphic to Minkowski spacetime.
 
  • #34
TeethWhitener said:
A finite speed of light over a finite length of time gives a finite distance. So the observable universe would still be finite, even if the total universe is not homeomorphic to Minkowski spacetime.
Are you saying a wormhole could not connect to a point beyond the edge of the observable universe from our vantage point?
 
  • #35
bob012345 said:
Are you saying a wormhole could not connect to a point beyond the edge of the observable universe from our vantage point?
Well if we could observe it, it wouldn’t be beyond the edge of the observable universe, now would it?

But it would still be a finite distance. Reread post 29.
 
  • #36
etotheipi said:
When I saw the title, I thought of this:
View attachment 271324
Huh. When I saw the title, I thought it was about the American leadership.
 
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  • #37
bob012345 said:
I really don't know how you can say the source is 'unreliable'?

Because it isn't a textbook or peer-reviewed paper, and it has no math. The credentials of the author don't help any given that, as far as using the reference as a basis for discussion for a PF thread is concerned.

bob012345 said:
I'm fine to move my questions to the relativity forum.

Meaning that you start a new thread when you can find a better reference.
 
  • #38
Moderator's note: Some off topic posts regarding wormholes and black holes have been deleted.
 
  • #39
Buzz Bloom said:
Summary:: This is from an article in space.com by by Robert Roy Britt August 23, 2007.
The hole is nearly a billion light-years across. This one is mostly devoid of stars, gas and other normal matter, and it's also strangely empty of the mysterious "dark matter" that permeates the cosmos.
Other space voids have been found before, but nothing on this scale.

https://www.space.com/4271-huge-hole-universe.html

I would much appreciate any links cited to more information about this hole, especially more recent information. I would also appreciate any information to clarify the following questions.

How much baryonic matter is actually present (taking into account “mostly devoid”)?

Is is mostly hydrogen gas, i.e., either atomic H or H2?

How is this measured?

How it is possible to ascertain the amount (or absence) of dark matter present (taking into account that the presence of dark matter is usually calculated by the pattern of orbits of baryonic matter in a galaxy)?

How big are other space voids (presumably having no stars)?

How far away from Earth are these other voids?

ADDED:
The link at the top. I apologize for forgetting to put it in. I blame it on a senior moment. Thank you @phinds for reminding me.
My religious friends keep telling me the universe is holey.
 
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