What Are the Current Events in the Universe 13 Billion Years Ago?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of observations made by the Webb Telescope regarding the universe's state nearly 13 billion years ago. Participants explore the nature of current events in those locations and the limitations of our observational capabilities due to the speed of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express fascination with the images captured by the Webb Telescope from the early universe and question what is currently happening in those locations.
  • There is a suggestion that the locations observed 13 billion years ago are likely very different now, raising questions about the nature of time and observation.
  • One participant posits that knowing the current state of those locations would be astounding, while another counters that it may not provide significant new information given the vast number of galaxies available for study.
  • Some argue that observing the past provides more informative insights than trying to ascertain the present state of distant galaxies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the value of knowing the current state of the locations observed by the Webb Telescope, with some viewing it as potentially insightful and others as less informative compared to studying galaxies at various evolutionary stages.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects limitations in understanding the evolution of galaxies over time and the challenges posed by the finite speed of light in observational astronomy.

Steve K
The Webb Telescope is finding images from the early beginnings of our universe, indeed from nearly 13 billion years ago. That is fascinating, but, what is happening right at this moment in our timeline, in those locations giving astronomers 13 billion year old information? I ask, because the locations exist right now, and I would assume are completely different now, than the images we see. We can only see what the speed of light let's us. I suppose there is no way to know without finding a way to time travel.
 
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Steve K said:
The Webb Telescope is finding images from the early beginnings of our universe, indeed from nearly 13 billion years ago. That is fascinating, but, what is happening right at this moment in our timeline, in those locations giving astronomers 13 billion year old information? I ask, because the locations exist right now, and I would assume are completely different now, than the images we see.
Correct
Steve K said:
We can only see what the speed of light let's us. I suppose there is no way to know without finding a way to time travel.
Oh, good. You've answered your own question.
 
phinds said:
Correct

Oh, good. You've answered your own question.
But that is the question of priority it seems. What is happenning right now, because, the space in the universe from 13 BYA exists. We will have to wait and see... but wouldn't it be astounding to know!
 
Steve K said:
But that is the question of priority it seems. What is happenning right now, because, the space in the universe from 13 BYA exists. We will have to wait and see... but wouldn't it be astounding to know!
Thank you, Phinds for your reply.
 
Steve K said:
but wouldn't it be astounding to know!
Not especially. There are at present far more galaxies that are available to us, in various stages of evolution than we have time / equipment to study. It is quite a reasonable assumption that the ones furthest out are evolving in the same way, so it is doubtful that we would learn much if anything by "seeing them now".

It's far more informative seeing them, as we do, "then" rather than magically seeing them "now".
 
Last edited:
Steve K said:
Thank you, Phinds for your reply.
If you are interested in Webb there is a thread that started in anticipation of the launch and followed journey to today.https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-james-webb-space-telescope.1010264/

There are also threads on age of the Universe and how they measure distant galaxies.
Everything regarding astrophysics and Cosmology in fact. Just use the magnifying glass top right to search.
 
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