Universe Expansion: Is Merging Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the concept of universe expansion and the possibility of merging with other universes. Participants consider various models and hypotheses regarding the nature of our universe's expansion, its uniformity, and the implications of potential interactions with other universes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that our universe might be merging with another universe, suggesting this could explain the observed expansion.
  • Others argue that the uniformity of the expansion indicates that our universe is not currently interacting with another universe, requiring a mechanism to explain such an interaction.
  • A participant questions whether the observable universe is part of a larger system influenced by gravitational pulls, seeking clarification on the nature of expansion.
  • Another participant emphasizes that while local differences in galaxy motion exist, they are confined within our universe and do not support the merging hypothesis.
  • There is a suggestion that it is possible other universes exist without any connection to ours, which cannot be ruled out.
  • Participants confirm that expansion is observed uniformly in all directions at the same rate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the merging of universes and the implications for expansion, with no consensus reached on the plausibility of merging as an explanation for observed phenomena.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on definitions of "merging" and "expansion," and the discussion does not resolve the mechanisms behind the observed uniformity of expansion.

starligh98
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Is it possible that our universe is just one of more universes and that our universe just appears to be expanding because we are actually merging with another universe? Just wondering if it would be a plausible explanation. Maybe the pull from the other universe against the pull from ours makes is seen like an expansion. What do you real scientist think?
 
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Expansion appears to be quite uniform in all directions. If expansion/illusion of expansion is affected by another universe, there would have to be some mechanism that would cause that expansion to appear to be uniform.

I believe it is highly likely that there are many universes. However, because of the uniformity of the expansion, I am of the opinion that our universe is not currently interacting with another universe.
 
starligh98 said:
Is it possible that our universe is just one of more universes and that our universe just appears to be expanding because we are actually merging with another universe?
No. There is absolutely no model that would give anything looking like expansion from anything that could be called "merging of universes".

There are local differences in galaxy motion. But they are within our universe.
 
Okay. Is it possible that our observable universe is only a small part of a system that is swirling around it's own gravitational pull and that there are other systems that are doing the same? Are we able to see expansion in all directions? mfb, I'm not a scholar and I don't understand everything. I'm just curious, so if you could explain some of your answers, I would appreciate it. Thanks to you both for answering my questions.
 
have you seen this illustration of the OU?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Earth%27s_Location_in_the_Universe_%28JPEG%29.jpg
 
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starligh98 said:
Okay. Is it possible that our observable universe is only a small part of a system that is swirling around it's own gravitational pull and that there are other systems that are doing the same?
What do you mean with "swirling around it's own gravitational pull"?

It is always possible that there are other universes without any connection to ours. And it is impossible to rule that out.

Are we able to see expansion in all directions?
Yes, and it is the same rate in all directions.
 

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