I don't understand

[EddieM]

Diane and I were fascinated by the Horizon programme regarding the size of the universe..... well ok Diane did seem a tad disinterested. However the conclusion at the end of the programme was that there were infinite universes of infinite size. if the universe if infinite size, why isn't the sky white all the time?

 

[UriBentMySpoon]

Why would it be white? Are you thinking af all the stars and their starlight? It is the Doppler effect in action, the light shifts depending on distance, until, at least with our eyes, we cannot see the light.

 

[rjm2k]

if the universe if infinite size, why isn't the sky white all the time?

Why would it be? Do you mean from "daylight" or starlight?

 

[JohnD]

I know this one!

Because the universe is infinitely large, and contains an infinite number of stars, you might expect the night sky to be filled with stars and no black space remaining.

However, although the universe is infinitely large, and contains an infinite number of stars, it is not infinitely old. Therefore the light from the further stars, which may be millions of light years away or more, has not yet had time to reach the Earth.

 

[joe-90]

JohnD is omniscient.

 

[joe-90]

Why isn't the universe infinitely old? Why didn't the universe do what it is doing an infinite time ago? What acted on the nothing to make it become a something that we call the universe? I dunno, but let's just call it God and have done with it.

 

[rjm2k]

Also, although the universe is infinatly large and contains an infinite number of stars, not every point in the universe has a star in it.

 

[sooey]

JohnD is omniscient.

No he isn't, he's a very naughty boy.

 

[sooey]

Why isn't the universe infinitely old? Why didn't the universe do what it is doing an infinite time ago? What acted on the nothing to make it become a something that we call the universe? I dunno, but let's just call it God and have done with it.

Oh, do shut up.

 

[rjm2k]

Why isn't the universe infinitely old? Why didn't the universe do what it is doing an infinite time ago? What acted on the nothing to make it become a something that we call the universe? I dunno, but let's just call it God and have done with it.

The age of the universe is determined by it's observable expansion etc, going back in time it's believe it started at a single point and the big bang caused the expansion we see now. I don't believe they know what happened before the big bang though, what was there etc so I guess the universe existed but not as we observe it now.

but let's just call it God and have done with it.

That just dodges the question, since "God" must have come from somewhere before the universe existed.

 

[joe-90]

Can't answer huh?

 

[UriBentMySpoon]

JohnD is omniscient.

Thought that was you Joe? You seem certain on EVERY point.

 

[sooey]

Also, although the universe is infinatly large and contains an infinite number of stars, not every point in the universe has a star in it.

If it had an infinite number of stars then every line of sight would end up on the surface of one.
Interstellar dust that blotted them out would be heated to the same teperature and shine as brightly.
The question eddiem asked is well known as Olbers' paradox.

 

[joe-90]

Why isn't the universe infinitely old? Why didn't the universe do what it is doing an infinite time ago? What acted on the nothing to make it become a something that we call the universe? I dunno, but let's just call it God and have done with it.

The age of the universe is determined by it's observable expansion etc, going back in time it's believe it started at a single point and the big bang caused the expansion we see now. I don't believe they know what happened before the big bang though, what was there etc so I guess the universe existed but not as we observe it now.

but let's just call it God and have done with it.

That just dodges the question, since "God" must have come from somewhere before the universe existed.

The force within the universe must have always existed and will always exist. Call it what you like. Some call it God. Some call it science. Take your pick - it means nothing in realirty, but it is the very same force/entity.

 

[joe-90]

JohnD is omniscient.

Thought that was you Joe? You seem certain on EVERY point.

JohnD is the daddy. Everyone knows that.