What's the fastest space pulls apart from itself?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Chaos' lil bro Order
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Space
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of the expansion of space and its relationship to the speed of light, particularly in the context of cosmological models and observations. Participants explore theoretical limits and current observational data regarding how fast space can expand, referencing concepts like dark energy and redshift.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that while no object can move faster than the speed of light (C), space itself can expand at rates exceeding C, with questions about how much faster this can occur.
  • Others propose that theoretically, there may be no upper limit to the speed of space expansion, suggesting that dark energy could allow for infinite expansion rates.
  • One participant references observational limits, noting that objects separated by a redshift of z=1.6 are receding at the speed of light, raising questions about the behavior of objects at higher redshifts like z=7.
  • Inflation is mentioned as an example of rapid expansion, with comparisons to science fiction speeds.
  • Some participants agree that there appears to be no effective limit on the pace of expansion, particularly in the early universe, while also noting the assumption that the redshift-distance relationship is valid.
  • A participant suggests a speculative estimate of 1000 times the speed of light as a possible expansion rate based on current observations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the limits of space expansion. While some believe there is no effective limit, others reference observational constraints that may suggest otherwise. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the validity of the redshift-distance relationship and the implications of dark energy, which are not fully explored or agreed upon by all participants.

Chaos' lil bro Order
Messages
682
Reaction score
2
Physics says no object moves faster than C. Physics allows for space itself, as the substrate for objects, to expand faster than C. My question is how much faster? 2 or 3 times C?

ty.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I don't think there's a limit. Theoretically you could crank the dark energy "parameter" up on a hypothetical universe, and get it to expand infinitely fast.
 
Ok, but given observation isn't there a current observed limit. If I recall correctly, any two objects separated by a distance corresponding to a redshift of z=1.6 are moving away from one another at C. So what about objects at z=7 and up?
 
Inflation is the best example, we're talking speed that makes most science fiction look weak by comparison.
 
There is no effective limit on the pace of expansion. It appears to have been very rapid in the early universe. Bear in mind, however, this assumes the redshift-distance relationship is valid [which is a fairly safe assumption].
 
Chronos said:
There is no effective limit on the pace of expansion. It appears to have been very rapid in the early universe. Bear in mind, however, this assumes the redshift-distance relationship is valid [which is a fairly safe assumption].

Chronos, what limit would you guesstimate based on current observations?
 
1000x speed of light.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Moving through space vs sitting in an expanding space
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
High School Did anyone actually see the space moving faster than light?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Undergrad Will Space Expansion Lead to the Formation of Black Holes and Neutron Stars?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
High School How Can We Prove That Space is Expanding?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
Why can’t we observe all regions of the universe?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
775
High School Question about things moving through outer space
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
Undergrad Question about Space -- Is Space itself a 4th dimensional object?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does the Balloon Analogy Explain the Expansion of the Universe?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Velocity of a given planet relative to the Galactic Center
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
High School Expansion of Space Itself, rather than due to an Explosion like the Big Bang?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K