Is there any limit on how far light can travel -in a vaccuum that is.

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    Light Limit Travel
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether there is a limit on how far light can travel in a vacuum. Participants explore theoretical implications, the nature of light, and concepts related to cosmic expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that there is no limit on the distance light can travel in a vacuum.
  • Another participant mentions that light does not 'age' and cites the detection of photons from the cosmic microwave background radiation as evidence.
  • A different viewpoint introduces the idea that if dark energy predictions hold true, parts of the universe may become inaccessible due to accelerating space expansion, akin to an 'event horizon' of a black hole.
  • One participant questions whether the wavelength of light would become infinite if it traveled for an infinite amount of time.
  • Another participant counters that there is no reason to believe the wavelength of light changes with time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of light traveling indefinitely, particularly regarding wavelength and cosmic accessibility, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of light and cosmic expansion are not fully explored, and the discussion includes speculative elements regarding dark energy and the behavior of light over time.

Tregg Smith
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Is there any limit on how far light can travel -in a vacuum that is.
 
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Hi Tregg! :wink:
Tregg Smith said:
Is there any limit on how far light can travel -in a vacuum that is.

Short answer: No. :smile:
 


No, light does not 'age' as it travels through the vacuum. We routinely detect photons emitted 380,000 years after the big bang [the CMBR].
 


Although there's no limit on the distance that light can travel, if some of the Dark Energy predictions are correct and space expansion is accelerating, there's a hypothetical stage where some parts of the universe are inaccessible from others-- Like the 'event horizon' of a black hole...
 


If light traveled for an infinite amount of time then would the wavelength not become infinite so that eventually you would need an infinite amount of time to "see" it?
 


No, there is no reason to think that the wavelength changes with time either.
 

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