Universe is expanding faster than the speed of light

AI Thread Summary
The universe is indeed expanding faster than the speed of light, particularly during the inflationary period in its early stages. This rapid expansion does not violate the principles of special relativity because it is the fabric of space-time itself that is expanding, rather than objects moving through space-time. In a sufficiently large universe, regions can recede from us at speeds exceeding that of light. This phenomenon is a result of homogeneous expansion across vast distances. The discussion clarifies that while local speeds are limited by light speed, the overall expansion of the universe can exceed this limit.
Matrixman13
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I always thought that the universe is expanding faster than the speed of light.
Am i wrong, or is that only during the proposed period of "inflation" in the early universe.
 
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Your second description is correct, i.e. speed of expansion was much greater than the speed of light during inflation.
 
mathman said:
Your second description is correct, i.e. speed of expansion was much greater than the speed of light during inflation.
While that is correct it is also true that in a large enough universe any homogeneous expansion will mean that a region far enough away will be receeding from us at faster than the speed of light.

However this does not violate SR because it is space-time itself that is expanding, not the motion of objects within space-time, they are simply being carried along with that cosmological expansion.

Garth
 
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