I confuse myself when i think of this vast universe. how vast
this universe is? i dont even know how many earth's are there in this universe.
if you start your journey towards the sky, you may die but your journey will
not end?
Full Version: UNIVERSE HAS NO END
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Metaphysics, Psychology & Psychic Phenomena
Hmmm... Don't know! Aparently, though, you can never reach the edge of the universe! Even if, (By some miracle) you found something that would get you that far in time, apparently you would end up in the place you started, like going around the Earth! Too confusing! 
QUOTE(jessicalawes11 @ Mar 13 2005, 05:47 PM)
Hmmm... Don't know! Aparently, though, you can never reach the edge of the universe! Even if, (By some miracle) you found something that would get you that far in time, apparently you would end up in the place you started, like going around the Earth! Too confusing!
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Woah, that's a cool idea! And then, outside of it, there is ANOTHER universe and so on.... lol
Yeah, people say that too! I read it in a book somewhere.
The universe is expanding at the speed of light. In order to catch up to the edges, you would need to achieve speeds faster than the rate of expansion. Unfortunately, this is impossible; you can't go faster than the speed of light, hence why no one will ever venture to the edge of the universe.
That is, assuming that the whole "expanding universe" theory is actually true (although many people agree that it is.)
That is, assuming that the whole "expanding universe" theory is actually true (although many people agree that it is.)
The most elegant answer that can be given about the universe is that the "edge" of the universe is spherical, Like the inside of a marble. If you were to fly straight into the edge of the universe(from the inside) as you moved "forward" the space around you would be curved, so you would be moving along the inside, but you would seem to still be moving forward. In this way the universe would be finite, but without a physical edge you could run into.
gazerbeams makes a good point, the universe is expanding at the speed of light so in order to reach the edge of the universe you would have to either move faster than the speed of light or go far out in space and turn back time until the edge ran into you.
BTW gazerbeam the "expanding universe" theory is also(and more often) referred to as "inflationary expansion", and this theory requires multiple universes to explain its equations.
gazerbeams makes a good point, the universe is expanding at the speed of light so in order to reach the edge of the universe you would have to either move faster than the speed of light or go far out in space and turn back time until the edge ran into you.
BTW gazerbeam the "expanding universe" theory is also(and more often) referred to as "inflationary expansion", and this theory requires multiple universes to explain its equations.
the universe is not expanding at the speed of light, because the universe is accelerating, there is no constant expansion rate
Your mixing up your facts there seeking, Galaxies are accelerating away from each other, this may be due to the repulsive force of gravity(yes gravity is an attractive and repulsive force) at large distance scales. The universe as a whole is expanding at the speed of light, and it has been since the big bang.
the reason galaxies are accelerating away from us is due to the fact that the universe as well is accelerating, it has to do with dark matter, also gravity does not repell anything, it may appear to repel someting but only because there is a stronger force pulling that object the opposite direction
some info i googled real quick:
http://universe.nasa.gov/science/goals5.html
some info i googled real quick:
http://universe.nasa.gov/science/goals5.html
This question use to drive me crazy as a kid, so I try not to think about it too hard anymore. 
QUOTE(jessicalawes11 @ Mar 13 2005, 12:47 PM)
Hmmm... Don't know! Aparently, though, you can never reach the edge of the universe! Even if, (By some miracle) you found something that would get you that far in time, apparently you would end up in the place you started, like going around the Earth! Too confusing!
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QUOTE(gazerbeams @ Mar 13 2005, 05:13 PM)
The universe is expanding at the speed of light. In order to catch up to the edges, you would need to achieve speeds faster than the rate of expansion. Unfortunately, this is impossible; you can't go faster than the speed of light, hence why no one will ever venture to the edge of the universe.
That is, assuming that the whole "expanding universe" theory is actually true (although many people agree that it is.)
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That is, assuming that the whole "expanding universe" theory is actually true (although many people agree that it is.)
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Yeah it's a combo of both.
Even if you could achieve a speed faster than the speed of light and caught up to the edge you would eventually go back to where u started it's like around the world in a planeyou just keep goin around and around
I think the universe has an edge but the space was infinite.
That's what i believed.
That's what i believed.
QUOTE(Zaus @ Mar 13 2005, 07:40 PM)
BTW gazerbeam the "expanding universe" theory is also(and more often) referred to as "inflationary expansion", and this theory requires multiple universes to explain its equations.
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Ah, thank you. I was wracking my brain earlier trying to recall the proper name of said theory.
QUOTE(seeking @ Mar 13 2005, 09:25 PM)
the universe is not expanding at the speed of light, because the universe is accelerating, there is no constant expansion rate
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Maybe I have my facts wrong. Regardless, the speed of acceleration is either equal or greater than the speed of light. My point still stands.
QUOTE(scipherel @ Mar 14 2005, 01:28 AM)
I think the universe has an edge but the space was infinite.
That's what i believed.
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That's what i believed.
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Do you mean that the space surrounding the universe (provided that it exists in a greater field of reality) is infinite? Or are you saying that the space inside the universe is infinite? The latter makes no sense (given your statement that you believe in a universal edge), as an infinite amount of space would go on forever, never reaching an end. No edge would exist, as this would imply that it did, in fact, come to an end.
Woah, I'm way to tired for this sort of talk...
QUOTE(Tia @ Mar 13 2005, 11:14 PM)
This question use to drive me crazy as a kid, so I try not to think about it too hard anymore.
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It's okay, you aren't alone. It has even kept me up at night at times.
This is one of those things I love to think about. I like it when I can not quite wrap my mind around something, when I know I can think and ponder and I'll never really know. It is almost inconceivable that space is never ending, that something can just go on and on and on. Amazing.
I don't believe there is anything outside the universe... The theory that there is more than one universe, unlike the fact that there is more than one galaxy, IMO, is flawed since there is no evidence that such a thing exists. I think it's based on one thing, the human brain being incapable of truely accepting infinity, or at least comprehending it. IMO, based on the available evidence, the universe is not really expanding, it is the matter within the universe that is spreading throughout the vast emptiness. The vaccum of space is nothingness, it IS "Nothing"... Truth is there is "Nothing" seperating the galaxies, the star systems, the planets, or even the Earth and the moon. Somewhere in there I believe someone will figure out that since there is true "Nothing" seperating all these things, it is possible to travel between them instantaneously.
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the human brain being incapable of truely accepting infinity, or at least comprehending it.
Exactly....perfect!
What no parrallel universes? Wheres the fun in that! And besides its already been indirectly observed through quantum mechanics. Without parallel unvierses probabilty(chance) wouldn't work, and thus quantum mechanics wouldn't work. But if you want to be a closed-minded sceptic and believe that anything you cant see doesn't exist then go right ahead.
The human brain is unable to accept or comprehend infinty? Duh. But what evidence is there to suggest the universe is infinite?
"Nothing" cannot exist since "Nothing" is still relative to "Something", and the "Nothing" you are referring to between stars and galaxies cannot be "Nothing" because it is composed of distance, and as string theory will soon prove the vaccum of space is full of tiny particles called "gravitons"(0 mass, 2 spin) that communicate the force of gravity.
The human brain is unable to accept or comprehend infinty? Duh. But what evidence is there to suggest the universe is infinite?
"Nothing" cannot exist since "Nothing" is still relative to "Something", and the "Nothing" you are referring to between stars and galaxies cannot be "Nothing" because it is composed of distance, and as string theory will soon prove the vaccum of space is full of tiny particles called "gravitons"(0 mass, 2 spin) that communicate the force of gravity.
QUOTE(Zaus @ Mar 14 2005, 10:59 AM)
"Nothing" cannot exist since "Nothing" is still relative to "Something", and the "Nothing" you are referring to between stars and galaxies cannot be "Nothing" because it is composed of distance
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Precisely!
QUOTE(Loaded_Revolver @ Mar 14 2005, 10:13 AM)
Truth is there is "Nothing" seperating the galaxies
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Depends on whether or not you accept the idea of dark matter.
Edit: Damn, beaten.
Even dark matter is something, it has mass and density.
QUOTE(Zaus @ Mar 14 2005, 04:19 PM)
Even dark matter is something, it has mass and density.
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I know. I was disagreeing with him, not you.
Not to get off the subject too much but if the universe if never ending...then wouldn't that be a perfect place to throw out all our trash? We could just dump it out and let it float forever in the never ending universe.....?! 
^you know ive always said we should do that
Is there a Finite amount of matter in the universe?
If so and the universe is expanding will it reach a point where it literally fades away? like spreading butter to thinly on bread?
Millions and Millions of years into the future if we were standing here(should say were earth USED to be) looking out into space will we still see stars and constellations? Or would they have moved so far away that their light would be inperceivable to our eye ?
QUOTE(kwai @ Mar 15 2005, 08:25 AM)
Is there a Finite amount of matter in the universe?
If so and the universe is expanding will it reach a point where it literally fades away? like spreading butter to thinly on bread?
Millions and Millions of years into the future if we were standing here(should say were earth USED to be) looking out into space will we still see stars and constellations? Or would they have moved so far away that their light would be inperceivable to our eye ?
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If so and the universe is expanding will it reach a point where it literally fades away? like spreading butter to thinly on bread?
Millions and Millions of years into the future if we were standing here(should say were earth USED to be) looking out into space will we still see stars and constellations? Or would they have moved so far away that their light would be inperceivable to our eye ?
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You've actually touched on an interesting subject. Depending on how much dark matter exists in the universe, the "end of time" will be very different. It's been a while since I read anything about this, but as far as I can remember -- and I'm probably getting this a little mixed up -- a smaller amount of dark matter means the universe will continue to expand forever, eventually distributing it's light and matter too thinly to support any life.
If the amount of dark matter is high, the universe will reverse it's expanding, and condense into a compact ball small enough to be held in a human hand. It would be extremely dense (by our laws of physics, it would weigh billions of kilos [something like that]), have a temperature ranging somewhere into the trillions and give off an incredible amount of light. Eventually, it would bounce back and re-expand, which implies an infinite cycle of expanding/condensing.
Once again, this is all just a theory, and I'm probably getting a few facts wrong, but this is the gist of it. I used to be fascinated by this stuff when I was a kid.
QUOTE(gazerbeams @ Mar 15 2005, 10:42 AM)
You've actually touched on an interesting subject. Depending on how much dark matter exists in the universe, the "end of time" will be very different. It's been a while since I read anything about this, but as far as I can remember -- and I'm probably getting this a little mixed up -- a smaller amount of dark matter means the universe will continue to expand forever, eventually distributed it's light and matter too thinly to support any life.
If the amount of dark matter is high, the universe will reverse it's expanding, and condense into a compact ball small enough to be held in a human hand. It would be extremely dense (by our laws of physics, it would weigh billions of kilos [something like that]), have a temperature ranging somewhere into the trillions and give off an incredible amount of light. Eventually, it would bounce back and re-expand, which implies an infinite cycle of expanding/condensing.
Once again, this is all just a theory, and I'm probably getting a few facts wrong, but this is the gist of it. I used to be fascinated by this stuff when I was a kid.
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I have heard something about that, and it is quite an intriguing concept. If that were true, then this probably isn't the only time that our universe has been able to support life...wow, the possibilities are endless.
If you have ALOT of time on your hands consider reading some of Einstiens work, mostly his Theory of General Relativity, the Universe is EXPANDING exponentially, there for there is no technical end to the galaxay because it is EXPANDING EXPONENTIALLY.
General Relativity does predict that the universe is expanding exponentially, but that only works if there is an unbalance in the amount of dark matter. If there isn't enough dark matter the universe will expand forever, If there's too much the universe will reach a point and then crunch back down until it collapses on itself, In both these situations the universe becomes a mass of entropy. Hopefully there is just enough dark matter to allow the universe to expand, contract, and then "bounce" back and expand agian.
QUOTE(JRZGRL @ Mar 14 2005, 05:26 PM)
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the human brain being incapable of truely accepting infinity, or at least comprehending it.
Exactly....perfect!
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Unlike what many here report, the concept of infinity is accepted daily by everyone in its simplist forms. For example, everyone accepts and easily understands that time goes on forever. Everyone also completely understands that numeric values are infinite in nature and no one disputes this. Knowledge is also thought to be infinite. However, an infinite universe is confusing to most. This is true because people think of the universe as something tangible however it is intangible. The Universe contains mass and energy but the universe itself is as intangible as time is. When we talk about the Universe expanding, that actually means that the distance between the masses is increasing. It is also theorized that the speed of light can be exceeded and gravity is thought to be the reason that universe appears to be spherical in size.
Guess what else is a theory? All laws of physics from Einstiens Special and General Relativity to Quantum mechanics to String, Superstring, and M-Theory...
Even though these are all theories, they explain the workings of the universe that we understand very well. The scientific method has been in place for nearly one thousand years, before it was introduced everyone thought earth was the center of the universe. So to say the universe is infinite just because is foolish because you have no evidence to back up your claim.
Just because you cant see the end of the universe doesn't mean it doesn't have one. Maybe you are right, maybe the universe truly is infinite, but until you have a reason to say the universe is infinite dont try to pass it off as true.
Even though these are all theories, they explain the workings of the universe that we understand very well. The scientific method has been in place for nearly one thousand years, before it was introduced everyone thought earth was the center of the universe. So to say the universe is infinite just because is foolish because you have no evidence to back up your claim.
Just because you cant see the end of the universe doesn't mean it doesn't have one. Maybe you are right, maybe the universe truly is infinite, but until you have a reason to say the universe is infinite dont try to pass it off as true.
How would you know you've reached the end of the universe? A big wall? What's behind the wall? What existed before the Big Bang, if you believe that theory? "In the beginning, there was vast nothingness" What? Beginning when? How can you begin time? What's nothingness - like now but all white everywhere? javascript:emoticon(':D')
smilie
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"If the universe goes on forever what is inside of it? But if the universe stops, what is outside of it?" - Me 
I was just about to address that, thanks. The universe ,meaning all that is examined as one thing, includes photons. At the speed of light photons spread from their spherical source would too (if distanced far enough from their sources) create a spherical shape. As for all matter that creates the light and the shape it relatively retains, who knows?
I sure hope there isn't an alternate universe, because if Star Trek taught me anything, it's that our alternate universe is pure evil. And I'd have to grow a goatee, or have to put on lots of eyeliner. I don't even know if I could do a half-decent evil laugh. And my dog would grow horns.
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