What Secrets Does the Color of Space Hold and How Does Space Travel Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of space, specifically addressing why space appears black, the materials found in space, and the mechanics of space travel. Participants explore concepts related to electromagnetic waves, cosmic phenomena, and the properties of materials in the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the visibility of space across different wavelengths of electromagnetic waves, suggesting that space appears mostly black due to the absence of light emissions or reflections.
  • There is a discussion about the composition of space, with hydrogen identified as the most abundant element, followed by helium, while the feasibility of extracting materials from space is questioned.
  • One participant explains that the blackness of space is due to the lack of light emitted from most regions, while others challenge this by discussing the cosmic microwave background radiation and the historical context of light from primordial plasma.
  • Questions arise regarding the expansion of the universe and why stars appear fixed in the sky despite this expansion, with some participants clarifying that galaxies do not expand in the same manner as the space between them.
  • Participants discuss the mechanics of space travel, including the types of fuels used for propulsion and the dimensions of spacetime, with some seeking clarification on the nature of atmospheric layers and the behavior of hydrogen balloons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the reasons for the blackness of space and the implications of the universe's expansion. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly concerning the extraction of materials from space and the specifics of space travel mechanics.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about light propagation and the visibility of cosmic phenomena, while definitions of terms like "plasma" and "fuel" vary among participants. The discussion includes unresolved questions about the nature of space and the mechanics of atmospheric layers.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring astrophysics, cosmology, and aerospace engineering, as well as those curious about the fundamental nature of space and materials in the universe.

nivamani Rajbongshi
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When we see with open eyes or in visible range of wavelength of e.m. wave we see black space containing some star...but if we see the space in other range of wavelength of the e.m. wave what will we see?? Also why the space is black?? Which matel we find in space mostly? Can we extract those matel to use?
 
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nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Also why the space is black?? Which matel we find in space mostly? Can we extract those matel to use?
The space between the stars is black because (on average) the first non-transparent stuff in the way of our line of sight is the primordial incandescent plasma that existed in the epoch of recombination before the universe became transparent to light. That was a long time ago. Due to the expansion of the universe, the light from that plasma has red shifted so much that it is now invisible. Instead, that "light" is now observed as the cosmic microwave background radiation.

It is much more convenient to find metal in mines rather than in hard vacuum.
 
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nivamani Rajbongshi said:
but if we see the space in other range of wavelength of the e.m. wave what will we see??

Mostly blackness until you get down into the microwave wavelengths. Once there you will see the cosmic microwave background radiation.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Also why the space is black??

Because you're mostly seeing empty space with no visible light coming from it. Hence, blackness.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Which matel we find in space mostly?

Hydrogen is overwhelmingly the dominant material in space, coming in at nearly 74% of the material in space by mass. This is followed by helium at almost 24% the amount by mass. The remaining 2% amount is where you find all the other elements.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Can we extract those matel to use?

Not yet. The interplanetary and interstellar medium is too sparse, and we don't yet have the ability to mine asteroids or other planets.
 
jbriggs444 said:
The space between the stars is black because (on average) the first non-transparent stuff in the way of our line of sight is the primordial incandescent plasma that existed in the epoch of recombination before the universe became transparent to light. That was a long time ago. Due to the expansion of the universe, the light from that plasma has red shifted so much that it is now invisible. Instead, that "light" is now observed as the cosmic microwave background radiation.

It is much more convenient to find metal in mines rather than in hard vacuum.
Why we assume that the light didn't reach to us so we see the space black mostly...also u r telling about some plasma, what is it?? Also u said universe is expanding then why we see the same star from a specific region in the sky?
 
A hydrogen balloon alway move upward. But at which layer of atmosphere it release from the balloon? Also what feul we use in the space(i mean outside earth), i mean to change the direction of the satellite or any space craft. We usually see a gas is used to move them, what gas is it? We consider time as the 4th dimension but when we speak about space time what is the dimension of the space??
 
nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Why we assume that the light didn't reach to us so we see the space black mostly

The only reason something looks black is because it emits or reflects little light, or if something blocks the light. So space is black because either little light is being emitted from most of space, or because there's something blocking the light from reaching us. But we can look out into space and see for billions of light years, so the light can't simply be blocked by something, otherwise we wouldn't be able to see distant regions of the universe. That must mean that there just isn't anything out there emitting or reflecting much light, and the latter is ruled out because, like I said, we can see for billions of light years without our view being obstructed or the light be significantly scattered by reflecting objects. That just leaves the idea that space is mostly empty.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
also u r telling about some plasma, what is it??

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Also u said universe is expanding then why we see the same star from a specific region in the sky?

Every single star you can see is located within our own galaxy, and galaxies do not expand. Instead, it is the distant between galaxies or galaxy clusters that are increasing over time. This is the expansion of the universe. Also note that space is enormous. Even though galaxies are moving at hundreds of thousands of kilometers per hour or faster you can't see a difference in their positions over timeframes of anything less than thousands or millions of years. Space is simply that vast.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
A hydrogen balloon alway move upward. But at which layer of atmosphere it release from the balloon?

I'm sorry but I don't know what you're asking.

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
Also what feul we use in the space(i mean outside earth), i mean to change the direction of the satellite or any space craft. We usually see a gas is used to move them, what gas is it?

There are dozens of rocket fuels and oxidizers that have been used, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Here's a list of liquid propellants that have been used: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_rocket_propellant#Table

nivamani Rajbongshi said:
We consider time as the 4th dimension but when we speak about space time what is the dimension of the space??

Three of the dimensions are spatial dimensions and the final dimension is time. It doesn't matter how you number them. Space is called the 4th dimension simply because the three spatial dimension were labeled first in history.
 

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