How can the universe be 78 billion light years (or more) in size, when it is only roughly 13 billions yrs old
[From: ] [author: ] [Date: 11-05-14] [Hit: ]
My assumption was that the universe has expanded in different directions for a long period of time so the universe is not growing in one direction, but several. This of course means that its size can easily be 78 billion light years or more if it has been expanding for 13 billion years at the speed of light. Think of the expansion like ripples that go outward like when you throw a stone in a puddle or river.-well that is a good question, Light years is the distance light travels in a year it is a measurement of Distance not time,......
Same story with the universe. The expansion is cumulative so in 13 billion years each PORTION of the universe expanded, not some hypothetical outer boundary.
Cheers!
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The first answer sounds interesting. I need to read up on that. My assumption was that the universe has expanded in different directions for a long period of time so the universe is not growing in one direction, but several. This of course means that its size can easily be 78 billion light years or more if it has been expanding for 13 billion years at the speed of light. Think of the expansion like ripples that go outward like when you throw a stone in a puddle or river.
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well that is a good question, Light year's is the distance light travel's in a year it is a measurement of Distance not time, And it is illogic too say the universe is that big as well for the reason they have not even been their too prove it, So really, It's hard too say
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You have to realize that a light year is how far light travels in a year. The universe being 13 billion years old means calender years not light years. And also light years are a measurement of distance not time so the universe my be 13 billion years old but it will keep expanding forever. and we will be able to watch it change and expand until the world comes to an end.
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Hi I watched a program on exactly this and the mind boggles at how the universe is expanding at a fast rate because of what Teagan referred too as atomic particles moving blah blah, and it goes further with black holes quasars ohhhh my mind is ready to burst so I will happily keep my feet on terra firma and ogle at the beautiful starry nights until some passing rogue meteor or comet decides to drop in if u get my drift Cheers ♥
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until most recently the universe has started expanding at an increased accelerated rate resulting in an increase of the length of the universe, but we cannot track at the speed/velocity of which the universe expands on yet we do know that the universe keeps expanding
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OY!, I need a challenge... but OK
You are needing to understand that time and space ore relative. You look at it as through the eyes of Humans on earth.
Now understand our physics dont apply everywhere so as time matter, and space evolve they speed up cause a time and space Anti vacuum that cause something in our minds to be minutes old to be millions of years old.
Some cases this can be visa versa... making something older younger to us.
Sorry that is the easiest I am able to enplane it to you.
Toodles!
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You are mixing up a unit of length, a light year, with a unit of time, a year. That happens quite frequently when you are not scientifically literate.
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remember that a light year is measure of distance not time. one light year is the distance that light travels in one earth year.
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