What Equation Determines the Cosmic Event Horizon Distance?

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SUMMARY

The cosmic event horizon distance can be calculated using Equation 28 from the paper by Davis and Lineweaver. This equation defines the boundary beyond which light emitted today will never reach Earth due to the expansion of space. The discussion also touches on the gravitational constant, G, and its relationship with the mass of the universe, estimated at approximately 2.01 x 10^53 kg. The complexities of the event horizon and particle horizon are highlighted, emphasizing the need for clarity in understanding their implications in cosmology.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cosmological concepts such as cosmic event horizon and particle horizon.
  • Familiarity with the equations presented in astrophysical research papers, specifically Equation 28 in Davis and Lineweaver.
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational physics, particularly the gravitational constant G.
  • Awareness of the expansion of the universe and its effects on light propagation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Equation 28 in the Davis and Lineweaver paper for detailed calculations of cosmic event horizon distance.
  • Research the implications of Mach's principle on gravitational constants and cosmological models.
  • Explore the differences between event horizon and particle horizon in cosmology.
  • Examine the relationship between the mass of the universe and the gravitational constant G over time.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, cosmologists, and physics students interested in understanding the dynamics of the universe's expansion and the implications of cosmic event horizons on gravitational interactions.

Jay B
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TL;DR
I'm trying to calculate the distance of the cosmic event horizon at different times following the big bang.
Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping someone can share an equation that would give the distance of the cosmic event horizon for a given time after the big bang. Thanks for any help!

Jay
 
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Jay B said:
Summary: I'm trying to calculate the distance of the cosmic event horizon at different times following the big bang.

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping someone can share an equation that would give the distance of the cosmic event horizon for a given time after the big bang. Thanks for any help!
Before the cosmology guys get here, can you explain what you mean by the phrase 'cosmic event horizon?'
 
Jay B said:
Summary: I'm trying to calculate the distance of the cosmic event horizon at different times following the big bang.

I'm hoping someone can share an equation that would give the distance of the cosmic event horizon for a given time after the big bang.
https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/big-bang-happen/
 
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pinball1970 said:
Before the cosmology guys get here, can you explain what you mean by the phrase 'cosmic event horizon?'
The distance past which light emitted today would never be able reach us because the expansion of space between Earth and that sphere is expanding faster than the speed of light (or will be).
 
Ibix said:
Equation 28 in Davis and Lineweaver
https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0310808
Thanks for the link! I'm having a little bit of a hard time working through the equations, but I'll keep at it.
 
I've seen this diagram on a few sites.
1659813101413.png

I went down this rabbit hole while watching a video about Mach's principal. It showed the following equation for the gravitational constant: G ≈ c^2 * radius of the universe / mass of the universe. I've always been interested in G, so I fiddled with it a bit. I used the current estimate of the cosmic event horizon to calculate a mass for the universe of about 2.01 * 10^53 kg, which is pretty close to the estimates I've seen. I figured that event horizon was the correct number to use since that would also be the distance beyond which there could be no gravitational interactions. I did go back and forth about if the event or particle horizon would be most appropriate, and I may well have chosen incorrectly.

Since the event horizon (Radius) has changed over time, this would necessitate that at least one other term is variable if the equation is to hold true meaning either G, c, or the mass of the universe has changed over time (or that I'm completely misunderstanding what I'm looking at). I'd be interested to hear how anyone else would interpret this.
 
It should be the observable universe, so particle horizon and the mass within. You want all the things causally connected at present. Event horizons are about the extreme future.

The nuts and bolts of the Mach's principle are over my head, so I don't know what it does or doesn't imply about any constants.

Btw, it's not generally true that the event horizon is associated with recession velocities exceeding c. See Fig.1 in that paper from post #4. The latter is designated 'Hubble sphere' on those graphs. It coincides with the former only when the acceleration is exponential.
 

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