Universal Expansion: Faster Than Light?

AI Thread Summary
The universe is widely accepted to be expanding, and some observations suggest it is doing so at a rate faster than the speed of light. This phenomenon is explained by conventional cosmologists, who assert that such expansion does not violate the laws of physics. The discussion touches on the redshift of distant galaxies, which some interpret as evidence of an explosive expansion rather than a simple expansion. There are differing views on the measurements of this expansion, with some questioning the methods used to determine it. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and ongoing debates surrounding universal expansion and its implications.
CBJammin103
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As far as I know it's generally accepted that the entire universe is expanding; however, I recall hearing or reading that as far as we can observe, it is expanding faster than the speed of light.

How is this possible? Assuming that it is in fact expanding faster than the speed of light, of course. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that somewhere.
 
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CBJammin103 said:
As far as I know it's generally accepted that the entire universe is expanding; however, I recall hearing or reading that as far as we can observe, it is expanding faster than the speed of light.

How is this possible? Assuming that it is in fact expanding faster than the speed of light, of course. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I remember hearing that somewhere.
You will hear from conventional cosmologists that the universe can expand so fast that there is no problem with any observed expansion that is apparently faster than the speed of light. If you'd like the grand tour, just be persistent and it will be forthcoming.

My personal view of physics contains an alternate route, branching at the distance/redshift relationtionship often attributed to Hubble, but never embraced or endorsed by him. Namely, the concept that the universe must be exploding because the farther galaxies are, the more they are redshifted.

It is entirely possible that light can be redshifted by traveling long distances, interacting with transmissive media etc, etc. Hubble was open to this - more recent folks are not.
 
You will hear from conventional cosmologists that the universe can expand so fast that there is no problem with any observed expansion that is apparently faster than the speed of light. If you'd like the grand tour, just be persistent and it will be forthcoming.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this...?

I guess I'm not too sure on how we can measure universal expansion in the first place though.
 
Check back a few pages to here . It should clarify things. If not, there are a few other threads kicking about that deal with the same thing.
 

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