So the Earth is the center of the universe,,hmmm

[SurfaceUnits]

The faintest and reddest objects in the new Hubble images are galaxies that formed 600 million years after the theoretical Big Bang, which occurred about 13.7 billion years ago. So these objects are located about 13.1 billion light-years from Earth.

Supposing the universe expanded equally in all directions, for the above statement to be true, the Earth would have to be at the center of the universe.

Accourse the only way to know would be to flip Hub around and take pictures in the opposite direction.

[Sean Malone]

I love Science...a fact is a fact until another fact replaces it. :)

[opinionated ow]

I love Science...a fact is a fact until another fact replaces it. :)

*Cough* Anthropogenic Global Warming *Cough*

[G.]

Supposing the universe expanded equally in all directions, for the above statement to be true, the Earth would have to be at the center of the universe.

Accourse the only way to know would be to flip Hub around and take pictures in the opposite direction.
I'm still trying to figure out the fuel filler cap thing, and you pull THIS crap on me?!?

:flame:





:gomer:

[nrc]

The farthest I can see is equidistant from me in all directions. Therefore I'm the center of the Universe. :gomer:

[Indy]

No, silly, Danica is the center of the universe.

[Napoleon]

Supposing the universe expanded equally in all directions, for the above statement to be true, the Earth would have to be at the center of the universe.

The simple explanation is that light only travels one "Light Year" in a year so if the big bang is 13.7 billion years ago people standing on Earth, physically aided, under absolutely optimal conditions, theoretically can only see something as far away as 13.7 Billion Light Years away. 13.1 is near the edge of that but that doesn't tell you anything about what is beyond the view horizon of 13.7 Billion Light Years. So of course there is a good chance that it will appear that we are at the center of the Universe and that everything is expanding away from us (you don't need to be in the middle for that observation to appear to be true) but that is entirely consistent with us being pretty much anywhere in the Big Bang.

(PS, giving this some more thought I am assuming that the speed of the expanding Big Bang can exceed the speed of light, relative to Earth, whereas the speed of light, relative to Earth, is limited - perhaps this would be a good point for Albert Einstein to post his thoughts).

[extramundane]

No, silly, Danica is the center of the universe.

That adds credence to my theory that the world really is flat after all.

[stroker]

This is one of our better threads, so far....

[Indy]

...perhaps this would be a good point for Albert Einstein to post his thoughts.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7598/einsteintongue.jpg

[Al Czervik]

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7598/einsteintongue.jpg

I've got a framed print of that photo.

[SurfaceUnits]

OK so we are not necessarily in the middle of the Universe, we are like Tiger Woods - in the middle of the Big Bang. I got ya. And like Tiger is wondering this morning, what is outside the Big Bang?

[SurfaceUnits]

but that is entirely consistent with us being pretty much anywhere in the Big Bang.
.well not really, because if we are looking in one direction and the edge of time, as we know it, is 13.7 billion light years away, then if we aren't in the middle, time isn't really 13.7 billion years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34328588/ns/technology_and_science-space

[G.]

The farthest I can see is equidistant from me in all directions. Therefore I'm the center of the Universe. :gomer:

http://binarri.edu.au/moodle/file.php/2/milkyway_you_are_here_small.jpg

[Don Quixote]

That adds credence to my theory that the world really is flat after all.:rofl: :rofl:

[Gnam]

The only explanation I've been able to understand is to imagine drawing a dot on an uninflated balloon. As the balloon is filled with air it expands, and all points on the surface of the balloon move away from the dot, even though the dot is not in the center.

...or imagine Indianapolis Motor Speedway, everything/everyone is running away from it in all directions. But, it is definately not the center of the motorsport universe.

[dando]

http://shaunphilly.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/carl_sagan.jpg

Billions and billions...

:D

-Kevin

[ChampcarShark]

...or imagine Indianapolis Motor Speedway, everything/everyone is running away from it in all directions. But, it is definately not the center of the motorsport universe.

or maybe "you just don't know what indy menas."

Everything evolves around indy, the 500, danika... etc etc

[SurfaceUnits]

The only explanation I've been able to understand is to imagine rawing a dot on an uninflated balloon. As the balloon is filled with air it expands, and all points on the surface of the balloon move away from the dot, even though the dot is not in the center..but a stationary point on a physical object can't equate to the galaxy hurtling uncontrollably through space at billions, and billions, and billions of miles per hour.

So is the Milky Way moving in the same direction, opposite direction, or somewhat perpendicular or obtuse to the objects at the edge of time? Or are we stationary because we are the center? And in what direction is the entire universe moving? And what was that big mass that exploded floating in? And where did it go? And is it part of the universe or is it an exo-verse

[Sean Malone]

but a stationary point on a physical object can't equate to the galaxy hurtling uncontrollably through space at billions, and billions, and billions of miles per hour.

So is the Milky Way moving in the same direction, opposite direction, or somewhat perpendicular or obtuse to the objects at the edge of time? Or are we stationary because we are the center? And in what direction is the entire universe moving? And what was that big mass that exploded floating in? And where did it go? And is it part of the universe or is it an exo-verse

Isn't that what the particle collider machines supposed to help answer? I just hope that we're not living inside a flower being held by an elephant.
If we are hurtling through space...when will we hit the wall? If there is no wall and space is infinite...how can something be infinite?

[Napoleon]

The only explanation I've been able to understand is to imagine drawing a dot on an uninflated balloon. As the balloon is filled with air it expands, and all points on the surface of the balloon move away from the dot, even though the dot is not in the center.

Exactly, I am certain I have read several times that in an expanding universe it appears to everyone anywhere that things are expanding away from them.

Another example like the one you mention is if you drop a drop of oil or gasoline or something like that on top of water so that it expands outward from where you drop it to cover the water. Imagine yourself standing on a molecule of it. From your prospective any of the molecules that are "ahead" of your molecule are going to look like they are moving away from you because they are moving to the perimeter quicker then you are, and those molecules that are "behind" you are also going to seem from your perspective (which is that you are standing still) to be moving away from you in the opposite direction because they are lagging behind you.

[JLMannin]

(PS, giving this some more thought I am assuming that the speed of the expanding Big Bang can exceed the speed of light, relative to Earth, whereas the speed of light, relative to Earth, is limited - perhaps this would be a good point for Albert Einstein to post his thoughts).

The effect you speak of is the cosmic inflation theory - it attempts to describe what happened in the first few trillionths of a second after the big bang. Prior to the big bang, there was nothing. The singularity was not located within a realm of space-time, but rather the big bang created the space-time continuum that is our universe. During the instant that space time was being created, the expansion of the universe would appear to be faster than the speed of light. I can barely explain it because I hardly understand the concept myself. I strongly recommend anyone wanting to experience this theory articulated by someone who actually comprehends it read "A Brief History of Time" by Steven Hawking.

[SurfaceUnits]

Strange light in Norwegian sky sparks mystery

A eerie turquoise light spotted over Norway has sparked a mystery, with suggestions it could be a missile test.


http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01540/lights_1540569c.jpg

The Norwegian Metrological Institute has received hundreds of phonecalls from confused observers but so far has been unable to identify its origin.

Some experts have speculated that the phenomenon might have been caused by a Russian rocket launch. However, the Russian embassy insists such claims are completely unfounded.

"The light appeared for 2-3 minutes. I could not believe my eyes, and got the shivers and was quite shaken by it", Mr Jorgensen said.

Morten Kristiansen, who saw the light phenomena from Sortland in northern Norway, added: " A large ring appeared, and then spread out, sending a green beam down to earth, "says

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/ufo/6770959/Strange-light-in-Norwegian-sky-sparks-mystery.html

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2009/12/fenomen_over_borras_340152c.jpg


http://gizmodo.com/5422574/giant-mysterious-spiral-takes-over-the-skies-of-norway

looks like a stargate

[Napoleon]

I strongly recommend anyone wanting to experience this theory articulated by someone who actually comprehends it read "A Brief History of Time" by Steven Hawking.

That was an interesting book. Maybe one of those books I should take off the shelf and read again (I also have his Black Holes... book which I have yet to read).

[SteveH]

Strange light in Norwegian sky sparks mystery

A eerie turquoise light spotted over Norway has sparked a mystery, with suggestions it could be a missile test.


Failed Russian rocket launch

[Gnam]

I can see why some would assume a missile launch. But given the latitude I'm thinking someone jolly out for a joy ride.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5871/yoyd2x1cgnbseapse9ljvwtp.jpg

[Ankf00]

the Zentraedi are here!

[Gnam]

Cover story is a Russian Bulava missile failed during a test flight.


Russian officials billed Bulava as a new-generation weapon, capable of dodging any potential missile defenses thanks to its quick start and an ability to perform unusual maneuvers in flight.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/12/10/international/i024744S08.DTL#ixzz0ZKCCivV3

Right... ;)

[Napoleon]

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01540/lights_1540569c.jpg



TV is saying the Russians are now admitting it was a failed missile launch from a sub.