Answers to Readers' Questions on Our Universe - Astronomy. Also refer to physical science, space, light-year, Big Bang, galaxies, stars, planets, Milky Way, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Our Universe
The following 3 questions have been answered. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Will the world end in 2012?
- How can the Unverse be 156 billion light years big?
- Other theories besides the Big Bang theory should be mentioned
Will the world end in 2012?
Question
February 19, 2010
Many news paper and some universities are said that the 2012 is the world ending year. what you say is there any probabilities?
Veeresh - India
19252
Answer
Through the ages, there have been many predictions of the end of the world. The last one was that the world would end in the year 2000. That didn't happen.
The ancient Mayans (in Mexico) ended their calendar cycle in 2012. They then were going to start their calendar over again. However, the Mayan culture itself ended around the year 900. It is unlikely they had any great insight that is valuable today.
Saying the world will end at 12-21-2010 sells newspapers but most likely will not happen.
How can the Unverse be 156 billion light years big?
Question
May 30, 2009
I have just read that our universe is estimated to be 156 billion light years across. If the big bang occured 13.7 billion years ago and nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, how do objects get to be that far apart? I'm confused. Can you please explain in lay terms how these distances and times are computed? Thank You, Bill Ridgeway
Bill - USA
17826
Answer
This definition of the extent of the Universe is how far light has traveled and not where any stars have yet reached.
The logic used in the estimated diameter of 156 light years is that as light traveled from the source of the Big Bang, space itself has been expanding. So, light is going at the same speed with respect to space, but space is moving too. It is like shooting a bullet on a moving train: the bullet moves at one velocity with respect to the train, but actually faster with respect to an outside observer. Part of this argument comes from measurement of cosmic microwave background radiation, which is supposed to be from the Big Bang itself.
I don't like the logic or argument they use. It is a pretty wild guess. In fact, even the date of the Big Bang is questionable. It is also based on this background radiation and the amount of time it takes to cool to its present state.
To see how astronomers estimate distances of objects they can see, check:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/astronomy/astronomical_distances.htm
Other theories besides the Big Bang theory should be mentioned
Question
May 7, 2009
Hi,
I was just writing to say that I think it isn't very fair that on this website the only theory presented is the 'big bang' theory. Honestly that theory is one of the most ridiculous theories I have ever been presented in my life. I think if at least a couple more theories were included in this lesson then some readers would feel a little more included, especially those who believe that God created the universe. I hope that this is a possiblity, especially because no one can prove exactly what created the universe, so it shouldn't be summed down to just one theory. Thanks for your time!
Julie - USA
17713
Answer
There are several other theories of how the universe began, but most scientists feel that the Big Bang theory is the best explanation. Note that many religions that believe that God created the universe also accept the Big Bang theory as a good explanation. See:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/religion/big_bang.htm
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Our Universe