Yes, they were right. We also used to encourage each other’s belief/disbelief that space was infinite—it just didn’t end, ever. Never failed to make us shiver.
In fact, it is unlikely there would only be one. That would require all the material of stellar creation be gathered into the star and a single planet. More likely material in adjacent orbits would either join or eject each other; more distant materials would not have a noticeable effect on each other. Rocky material remaining near the star with volatiles blown away by stellar outgassing. Gaseous planets in the more distant orbits from the heat of the new star. Moons, comets, planetoids wandering all over the place unless captured by planets or their orbits stabilized in Lagrange points if enough mass existed from the Jovian types.
General relativity and big bang measurements require a finite universe, although an expanding one. According to it, time and space do not exist separate from matter and energy. Therefore, space only exists out as far as light has reached since the time of the big bang.
Not the place to argue these things – but “As far as light has reached since the time of the big bang” is not a meaningful statement. The fundamental thing about the concept of the Big Bang is that it happened, in our terms, EVERYWHERE. The whole universe. Right where you’re sitting. Out by Alpha Centauri, and the Pegasus galaxy. Out by the furthest visible astronomical objects. Light hasn’t “reached” anywhere – because, unless the laws of physics are different in other parts of the universe, light is already there – and has been, nearly 14 billion years. As to whether the universe is finite or infinite – many, brilliant minds have been trying to answer that for the last century or so – and the jury is still out.
Wow. I can’t remember seeing so many intelligent comments, most of them 100 times as sure as real astronomers are (about almost anything interesting).
If you want to get a good look at all the interesting things scientists have recently come to appreciate they have only begun to understand, see the new book We Have No Idea, by Science cartoonist Jorge Cham and astrophysicist Daniel Whiteson.
“REAL” physicists and/or astronomers know the limits of their knowledge. We might get a better understanding of our understanding of the physical world around us if we would substitute the word myth for laws. The Myth of General Relativity. The Myth of Quantum Physics. After all they are both just stories used to try to explain observed realities. We are just better than the ancients in formulating “myths.”
I’m just looking at those boys sitting there pretending to look at the stars, when we know they’ve really been looking at Mrs. Crandall’s bathroom window two blocks over.
Although back when we were 12, most of us kids likely suspected that most stars had solar systems, we figured that they would be pretty much like ours. The 21st century has shown that this is not the case, though. The big surprise has been the number of “hot Jupiters” that have been found – planets as large as Jupiter, or bigger, that orbit very close to their sun. Other planetary systems have planets orbiting in strongly elliptical orbits and/or inclined at large angles to the others’ orbits, instead of all being nearly in the same plane. Our solar system, with the small rocky planets near the sun and the large balls of gas further out, may in fact be somewhat unusual, rather than the template. So our vision of the universe from when we were 12 is in need of major revision!
I am exhausted from reading all this. It is what it is, and what I believe will have no impact. time to go watch more househunters whine about a house they could not possibly live in because it is too small, the exterior color is unbearable or the kitchen is not updated to the minute.
kinsler33 almost 7 years ago
Yes, they were right. We also used to encourage each other’s belief/disbelief that space was infinite—it just didn’t end, ever. Never failed to make us shiver.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 7 years ago
In fact, it is unlikely there would only be one. That would require all the material of stellar creation be gathered into the star and a single planet. More likely material in adjacent orbits would either join or eject each other; more distant materials would not have a noticeable effect on each other. Rocky material remaining near the star with volatiles blown away by stellar outgassing. Gaseous planets in the more distant orbits from the heat of the new star. Moons, comets, planetoids wandering all over the place unless captured by planets or their orbits stabilized in Lagrange points if enough mass existed from the Jovian types.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault almost 7 years ago
General relativity and big bang measurements require a finite universe, although an expanding one. According to it, time and space do not exist separate from matter and energy. Therefore, space only exists out as far as light has reached since the time of the big bang.
fredd13 almost 7 years ago
Not the place to argue these things – but “As far as light has reached since the time of the big bang” is not a meaningful statement. The fundamental thing about the concept of the Big Bang is that it happened, in our terms, EVERYWHERE. The whole universe. Right where you’re sitting. Out by Alpha Centauri, and the Pegasus galaxy. Out by the furthest visible astronomical objects. Light hasn’t “reached” anywhere – because, unless the laws of physics are different in other parts of the universe, light is already there – and has been, nearly 14 billion years. As to whether the universe is finite or infinite – many, brilliant minds have been trying to answer that for the last century or so – and the jury is still out.
jarvisloop almost 7 years ago
The light pollution in this area of the country has become pretty bad, and the stars are becoming dimmer every year. I miss seeing the Milky Way.
jeffiekins almost 7 years ago
Wow. I can’t remember seeing so many intelligent comments, most of them 100 times as sure as real astronomers are (about almost anything interesting).
If you want to get a good look at all the interesting things scientists have recently come to appreciate they have only begun to understand, see the new book We Have No Idea, by Science cartoonist Jorge Cham and astrophysicist Daniel Whiteson.
Nighthawks Premium Member almost 7 years ago
what better place to argue these things than a gathering of people who want to express their views?
Tyge Premium Member almost 7 years ago
“REAL” physicists and/or astronomers know the limits of their knowledge. We might get a better understanding of our understanding of the physical world around us if we would substitute the word myth for laws. The Myth of General Relativity. The Myth of Quantum Physics. After all they are both just stories used to try to explain observed realities. We are just better than the ancients in formulating “myths.”
MeGoNow Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I’m just looking at those boys sitting there pretending to look at the stars, when we know they’ve really been looking at Mrs. Crandall’s bathroom window two blocks over.
paranormal almost 7 years ago
They’re saying now that there are more stars than grains of sand on earths beaches.
seismic-2 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Although back when we were 12, most of us kids likely suspected that most stars had solar systems, we figured that they would be pretty much like ours. The 21st century has shown that this is not the case, though. The big surprise has been the number of “hot Jupiters” that have been found – planets as large as Jupiter, or bigger, that orbit very close to their sun. Other planetary systems have planets orbiting in strongly elliptical orbits and/or inclined at large angles to the others’ orbits, instead of all being nearly in the same plane. Our solar system, with the small rocky planets near the sun and the large balls of gas further out, may in fact be somewhat unusual, rather than the template. So our vision of the universe from when we were 12 is in need of major revision!
slhansen07 almost 7 years ago
You haven’t changed much, Arlo.
realist666 almost 7 years ago
I am exhausted from reading all this. It is what it is, and what I believe will have no impact. time to go watch more househunters whine about a house they could not possibly live in because it is too small, the exterior color is unbearable or the kitchen is not updated to the minute.
tomfromthe50s over 2 years ago
Do people on other planets have the same god?