Universe Today: What Does It Look Like?

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In summary, due to the finite speed of light, it is impossible to see the current state of the universe. However, based on our knowledge of its past, we can make predictions about its present state. The large scale features of the universe change slowly, so within a certain distance from us, the universe should look similar to our local neighborhood. This includes a variety of galaxies, from young to old.
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binbots
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I know it is impossible to see what the universe actually looks like today because of the finite speed of light. But we must have some idea because we know so much about its past, we must be able to predict its current state. Is the universe for the most part full of galaxies in the same evolutionary stage as ours?
 
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Large scale features of the universe don't change very rapidly. Therefore everything within a 10s of megaparsecs (or more) of us, won't be all that different now from when we're seeing them.

The universe as a whole, we expect, should look similar to our local neighborhood. Both with spiral galaxies like our own, and large ellipticals, and giant clusters, etc.
 
  • #3
zhermes said:
Both with spiral galaxies like our own, and large ellipticals, and giant clusters, etc.
i.e. spans the gamut of very young to very old.
 

FAQ: Universe Today: What Does It Look Like?

What is the shape of the universe?

The shape of the universe is still a topic of debate among scientists. Some theories suggest that the universe is flat, while others propose a spherical or saddle-shaped geometry. However, current data from the cosmic microwave background and distant galaxy observations indicate that the universe is most likely flat.

What does the universe look like?

The universe is vast and contains billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars. The observable universe, which is the portion of the universe we can see, appears to have a fairly uniform distribution of matter on a large scale. It also has a web-like structure, with filaments of galaxies connected by vast voids.

Is the universe infinite?

This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Our current understanding of the universe suggests that it is either infinite or incredibly large but still finite. However, we cannot observe the entire universe, so it is impossible to say for sure if it is truly infinite.

What are the main components of the universe?

The main components of the universe are dark matter and dark energy, which make up about 95% of the total mass-energy of the universe. The remaining 5% is made up of ordinary matter, such as galaxies, stars, and planets.

How old is the universe?

The current estimated age of the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years. This age is determined by measuring the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is the leftover heat from the Big Bang, and using this data to calculate the expansion rate of the universe.

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