- #1
cfortes
- 1
- 0
Is it possible to measure the supose end of the universe with a wave that will bounce of the end of the universe and return ?
Can the End of the Universe Be Measured with a Bouncing Wave? Great Video
In summary, the possibility of measuring the end of the universe with a wave that bounces off and returns is unlikely, as the universe does not appear to have a boundary. The universe is constantly expanding, making it difficult to accurately measure its size. Estimates of the universe's size are often based on ancient light emitted by distant objects, as we are unable to see the light they emit in the present. A helpful resource for understanding how the universe is measured is the video glossary by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory featuring astrophysicist David Schlegel.
- #2
russ_watters
Mentor
- 23,482
- 10,812
Welcome to PF.
The universe does not appear to have such a boundary.
The universe does not appear to have such a boundary.
- #3
Chalnoth
Science Advisor
- 6,197
- 449
A light wave that we emitted today would not be able to return from the most distant things we can see today. Basically, we can see the ancient light that these things emitted long ago, but in the mean time they've moved so far away that we'll never be able to see the light that they emit today.cfortes said:
- #4
brother time
- 45
- 0
the universe is constantly expanding. such a boundary is always getting larger and by the time we see it, the universe is already larger than what we saw it as. many of the claimed of the size of the universe are estimates because how can we see more than 15 billion light years away.
hope this helps, BT
hope this helps, BT
- #5
ViewsofMars
- 426
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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has a fine video glossary. Astrophysicist David Schlegel explains about measuring the universe. You can view the video online.
http://videoglossary.lbl.gov/2010/measuring-the-universe/
http://videoglossary.lbl.gov/2010/measuring-the-universe/
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- #6
brother time
- 45
- 0
Great Video
FAQ: Can the End of the Universe Be Measured with a Bouncing Wave? Great Video
How do scientists measure the size of the universe?
Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the size of the universe, including parallax, redshift, and the cosmic distance ladder. Parallax involves measuring the apparent shift of nearby stars against the background of more distant stars, while redshift measures the stretching of light from distant objects as the universe expands. The cosmic distance ladder uses a series of techniques, such as measuring the brightness of stars and supernovae, to estimate distances to objects in the universe.
What is the unit of measurement for the universe?
The unit of measurement used for the universe is the light-year, which is the distance that light travels in one year. It is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers or 5.88 trillion miles. This unit is used because the universe is so vast that using kilometers or miles would be impractical.
How far can we see into the universe?
The observable universe is estimated to be about 93 billion light-years in diameter. This means that the farthest we can see into the universe is about 46.5 billion light-years in any direction. However, the actual size of the universe may be much larger and may even be infinite.
Can we accurately measure the age of the universe?
Yes, scientists have been able to determine the age of the universe through various methods, including measuring the cosmic microwave background radiation and the expansion of the universe. The current estimated age of the universe is 13.8 billion years.
How do scientists measure the expansion rate of the universe?
Scientists use a variety of techniques, such as measuring the redshift of galaxies and the brightness of supernovae, to determine the expansion rate of the universe. The most commonly used method is the Hubble constant, which relates the distance of an object to its recession velocity. However, there is still ongoing research and debate about the exact value of the Hubble constant.