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Why do astronomers attempt to limit or make predictions as to the size of the universe?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
== All forms of science are about asking questions about the world and trying to find answers. If someone is curious about the size of the universe, science will try to find an answer. == If man knew the size of the universe, he 1) would be able to estimate the magnitude of the energy that created the universe, and 2) would be closer to determining the energy and composition of the early universe. == By determining the size of the universe, scientists might be able to make some predictions about the future of the universe! In our universe, everything is currently "expanding" and galazies are, in general, moving away from each other. If we had some idea of the volume of the universe, we might be able to make some guesses about its shape. And we might also be able to make some predictions about whether the universe will expand "to infinity" or not. Will there exist in the end enough gravity to "take hold" of all the galaxies and pull all the mass back together in the "Big Crunch" bringing everything full circle? Or will everything just continue to "fly apart" resulting in the reduction of the mass per unit volume of that universe to the point where everything just "dies" in the emptiness of seeming endless dimensions of spacetime? If we knew to some degree of certainty the volume of the universe, we might be able to look into the future of that universe and see where it's headed and how it might end. == And another reason is, because, since images travel at the speed of light, the size of the Universe that we can observe is linearly related to the age of the Universe, or at least the purported age. So, since we can't really deduce at all what's happening outside our sphere of visibility, it becomes quite imperative to place limits on the size of the Universe.
By the way, quite ironically, Earth is nearly at the Exact center of OUR observable Universe, in fact, any human being is at the center of his/her own personal observable Universe. Plato gets some credit after all, huh?
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Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What are the three possible fates of the universe?
1. The universe will keep expanding forever 2. The expansion of the universe will gradually slow down, and the universe will approach a limit in size. 3. The universe will stop expanding and start to fall back in on itself.
What do astronomers mean when they use the term observable universe?
That portion of the universe from which light from distant objects can reach us which has been traveling since it was possible for light to travel through the universe (about 380,000 years after the Big Bang) This is a sphere centered on Earth extending 46.6 billion light years in all directions. That sphere gets slightly bigger every day. Note also that even though the universe is 13.798 billion years old the observable universe is larger becuase the universe has been expanding during that 13.798 billion years.
Where does Earth's gravitational limit ends?
God Known very well. we do not know. God is only one creator all the universe.
Why is the galaxy measured in light years rather than kilometers or miles?
Mostly because of the sheer number of digits it would take to write down the numbers in Kilometers or miles. A light year is 9,460,730,472,580.8 km or 5,878,630,000,000 miles. What is simpler, writing 236,518,261,814,520 kilometers or simply 25 light years? Also the speed of light is generally accepted as a constant speed, and precise way of measuring distance. (The question of why it ISN'T actually constant is a whole other issuer)
What is the destiny of the sun?
Being an astrologer I know that heavenly bodies have their horoscopes too. All the planets, souls , matter and antimatter have one soul. Sun will burn to give light to the universe, where darkness is eternal till it extinguishes. Anything with a limit has a destiny and a purpose.
Where is the edge of space and the universe?
There probably is no such edge. There is certainly no known edge. The "observable universe" has an edge, which is the limit of how far we can see. That's related to the age of the universe and the speed of light. Astronomers think there's a lot more beyond that limit and that the universe could be infinite in size.
Is there a time limit on fortune cookie predictions?
No. (:
What is the maximum payment of an astronomers?
There is no limit for a salary or the payment for an astronomer. The bigger you discover, the more you get paid. So there is no limit.
Will there be a new Big Bang when our universe ends?
No, the universe is ever expanding and has no limit to which it can end.
Was an aspect of mercantilism?
An attempt to limit imports
What is the limit of your universe?
Till Jesus comes from heaven
What does measuring the amount of deuterium in the universe allow us to set a limit on?
The density of ordinary (baryonic) matter in the universe.
How old do you have to be to have a WWE universe account?
i think the age limit is 13
How is it possible that the expansion of the universe is faster than the speed of light?
Relativity theory establishes a speed limit for objects travelling through space - but the expansion of the universe is the expansion of space. There is no speed limit for that expansion.
What rationing is an attempt to limit shortage that naturally result from what?
Price ceiling
Rationing is an attempt to limit shortages that naturally result what?
Price ceiling
What are the three possible fates of the universe?
1. The universe will keep expanding forever 2. The expansion of the universe will gradually slow down, and the universe will approach a limit in size. 3. The universe will stop expanding and start to fall back in on itself.
