Big Bang: Definition of Universe Area

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In summary, within cosmology, the term typically used to distinguish the area of the big bang from the rest of the universe is the Hubble Volume. However, this term is not an exact representation as it is only equal to the observable universe for specific cosmological parameters. Another term that could be used is "observable universe", which refers to the patch of the universe that we can see given the age and expansion history of the universe. It is assumed that the regions beyond this are similar in nature, but cannot be confirmed since they are not observable.
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Pjpic
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Is there a term for the area of the big bang to distingush it from the bulk universe?
 
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As far as I know no term like that exists, because no physical distinction is possible according to current mainstream beliefs- the bulk universe is simply the big bang "area", stretched out over time.
 
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Pjpic said:
Is there a term for the area of the big bang to distingush it from the bulk universe?
Within cosmology, we usually use the term "Hubble Volume".
 
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Chalnoth said:
Within cosmology, we usually use the term "Hubble Volume".

No, the Hubble volume is only equal to the observable Universe for a particular set of cosmological parameters, which are not those we find for our Universe.

To answer the OP, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, but I think the best answer would be 'the observable Universe' which is what we conventionally call the patch of the Universe we can in principle see given the age of the Universe and the expansion history (which tells you how 'far' photons can travel from the Big Bang until now).

As MikeyW said, we have no reason to believe the regions beyond this are substantially different in nature, and in terms of the models we have for the Universe we assume that this region has on average the same kind of properites as the part of the Universe we can see, but of course since we can't see it we don't know for sure.
 
  • #5
No such area. Big bang was everywhere you look, just as MikeyW said.
 
  • #6
Wallace said:
No, the Hubble volume is only equal to the observable Universe for a particular set of cosmological parameters, which are not those we find for our Universe.
Well, not exactly. The Hubble volume is a word which is still bandied about to describe our local universe, though we understand it's not specifically talking about the universe out to the limits of our vision. The original poster didn't specifically say the observable universe.

As far as I know, there actually aren't any cosmological parameters for which the Hubble volume is exactly the size of the observable universe. But in De Sitter space it is the volume inside the future horizon.
 

Related to Big Bang: Definition of Universe Area

1. What is the Big Bang theory?

The Big Bang theory is the leading scientific explanation for the origin and development of the universe. It proposes that the universe began as a single point of infinite density and temperature, and has been expanding and cooling over the last 13.8 billion years.

2. How did the Big Bang happen?

The exact cause of the Big Bang is still a mystery, but scientists believe that it was a rapid expansion of space and time that occurred due to a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature. This expansion created the fundamental building blocks of matter and energy, which eventually formed into stars, galaxies, and everything in the universe.

3. What evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

There are several pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang theory, including the observation of the cosmic microwave background radiation, the abundance of light elements in the universe, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Additionally, the theory has been able to accurately predict and explain many observations of the universe.

4. What is the role of dark energy and dark matter in the Big Bang theory?

Dark energy and dark matter are two components of the universe that are still not fully understood, but they play a crucial role in the Big Bang theory. Dark energy is believed to be the force that is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate, while dark matter is thought to make up about 85% of the total matter in the universe and helps to explain the large-scale structure of the universe.

5. Can the Big Bang theory be proven?

While the Big Bang theory is the most widely accepted explanation for the origin and development of the universe, it cannot be proven definitively. However, the theory is supported by a vast amount of evidence and has been able to accurately predict and explain many observations of the universe, making it the most plausible explanation we have at this time.

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