Why Are We Trying to Reach Galaxies Drifting Apart at Light Speed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and rationale behind attempting to reach other galaxies, particularly in the context of their increasing distance due to the expansion of the universe. Participants explore the implications of galaxy movement and the challenges of intergalactic travel.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the motivation for attempting to reach other galaxies if they are moving apart at near-light speed.
  • Another participant challenges the premise by asking where the idea of trying to go to other galaxies originates.
  • Concerns are raised about the current technological limitations in space travel, emphasizing that humanity struggles to reach even the nearest star systems.
  • It is asserted that traveling between galaxies is virtually impossible due to the vast distances involved, with one participant noting that even science fiction often remains within a single galaxy.
  • One participant explains that galaxies are indeed moving away from each other, but the rate of this motion varies with distance, citing a specific rate of 20 km/s for every million light-years apart.
  • Another participant adds that galaxies in the local group, such as Andromeda, are not receding due to gravitational forces, and emphasizes the immense distances that would still pose a challenge for travel, even at relativistic speeds.
  • One viewpoint suggests that the interest in other galaxies may be more about observation rather than travel, noting that some galaxies are receding faster than light due to the expansion of space, which could mean they are beyond our observational reach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some agreeing on the impracticality of intergalactic travel while others focus on the observational aspects of distant galaxies. There is no consensus on the motivations for exploring other galaxies or the feasibility of such endeavors.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of gravitational effects on galaxy movement and the limitations of current space travel technology, as well as the implications of cosmic expansion on visibility and accessibility of galaxies.

James_Cody
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If the galaxies are drifting farther apart at close to light speed then why are we bothering to try to go to other galaxies?
 
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Where do you get the idea that we are trying to go to other galaxies?
 
We are having enough problems just going to places in our solar system.
we have no workable way to even attempt a trip to the nearest neighboring star system.
Even in Star Trek they pretty much stay in the same galaxy.
The distances involved between galaxies foils even the sci-fi writers methods of travel for the most part.
 
that's right, absolutely no chance of traveling between galaxies.
Your statement is wrong. galaxies are moving away from each other. The speed of motion depends on their distance from each other. For every Million lightyears between two galaxies they are moving, relative to each other, at about 20km per second.
This is because the space between them is expanding.
 
That really depends on how close the galaxies are to each other. For example the galaxies in our local group are not receding, because gravity is strong enough to keep things together against the expansion. In fact our closest neighbour, Andromeda, is coming right at us. It is only on very large scales that gravity can't keep galaxies together anymore.
 
Cyosis said:
That really depends on how close the galaxies are to each other. For example the galaxies in our local group are not receding, because gravity is strong enough to keep things together against the expansion. In fact our closest neighbour, Andromeda, is coming right at us. It is only on very large scales that gravity can't keep galaxies together anymore.

While what you say is true the distances involved are still so great the we have no concept of what it would take to get from our galaxy to Andromeda. Even if we could travel at .999C it would take millenia to go between these galaxies.
 
I believe it's more a matter of seeing other galaxies; and since what we view is light, if the distance is great enough some galaxies are moving away from us/we are separating at a rate that is actually faster than the speed of light. (Which is more boggling than thinking about time dilation.)

So given our late appearance to this party, there are some galaxies we will never see, as they were too far away when humans evolved, let alone now.
 

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