- #31
- 22,823
- 14,864
Vanadium 50 said:
Paradox: How can we look back at the Big Bang?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the nature of the Big Bang and how it relates to our ability to observe ancient light from the early universe, particularly in the context of the Webb telescope's findings. Participants explore concepts of inflation, expansion, and the implications of light travel in an expanding universe, addressing both theoretical and conceptual aspects.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note that the Big Bang was not an explosion in space but occurred everywhere, leading to questions about how we can observe light from that epoch.
- There is a discussion about whether the inflation of the universe allowed for separation at speeds exceeding that of light, with some suggesting that this could explain the reception of ancient light from all directions.
- One participant mentions that the recession speed of distant objects can exceed the speed of light, which complicates the understanding of light travel in an expanding universe.
- Another participant raises the concept of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) as the light from the last scattering surface, which is observable and relates to the early universe.
- Concerns are expressed regarding the untestability of inflation, with some participants arguing that it remains a matter of belief rather than empirical verification.
- One participant introduces a thought experiment involving special relativity to illustrate that there may not be a paradox in observing distant light, suggesting that different cosmological models can yield similar qualitative features.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the nature of the Big Bang, inflation, and the implications of light travel in an expanding universe. There is no consensus on the validity of inflation or alternative explanations, and the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight the complexities of defining speeds in curved spacetime and the ambiguities that arise from general relativity. The discussion also touches on the limitations of current experimental capabilities to test theories like inflation.
- #32
malawi_glenn
Science Advisor
- 6,735
- 2,435
I only know bosonic string theory :(Vanadium 50 said:
Similar threads
- · Replies 8 ·
Undergrad
Big bang at the edges of the Universe?
- · Replies 25 ·
High School
How can a single Big Bang be true?
- · Replies 20 ·
- · Replies 15 ·
High School
Big Bang and Infinite Universe
- · Replies 20 ·
- · Replies 33 ·
- · Replies 10 ·
Undergrad
Schwartzchild radius and the Big Bang
- · Replies 13 ·
- · Replies 43 ·
- · Replies 2 ·