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Expanding Universe
Name: Duncan F.
Status: other
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999 - 2000
Question:
some scientists say it is an expanding universe because
they have measured the "red shift".are they so naive to think we are the
centre of the universe and everything is moving away from out scientific
measuring devices?is it not possible that it is a finite universe and
that we (earth) are close to the edge of it, just outside the scope of
their(scientists) optic tools whether its hubble space telescope or
otherwise?
Replies:
The "red shift" does not put us at the "center of the universe". It only
means that those galaxies, stars, etc. are moving away from us relative to
our motion. The Doppler "red shift" is real and confirmed by many
experiments. We measure the spectrum on earth, say of hydrogen and get a
complex "finger print" of absorptions and/or emissions. The telescope "sees"
that complex pattern of the spectrum (of hydrogen) but at longer
wavelengths, and the shift of each and every absorption/emission of the
complex pattern is where the equation for the Doppler shift predicts is
should be. The same shift is seen for other elements such as helium and
others. And all are shifted as the Doppler shift predicts, so it is not just
some mysterious property of hydrogen. The shift occurs in the ultraviolet,
the visible, the infrared, and radio frequecy radiation, just as the Doppler
shift predicts quantitatively. That result is not predicted by any other
laws of physics.
So we are not "geo-centric" we are just measuring the relative RADIAL
motions with respect to where and how fast the source and receiver are
moving.
Vince Calder
It is not necessary for us to be at the "center" of the universe. If the
universe as a whole expands, the distances between ALL objects will
increase. So, no matter where in the universe you are located, you will see
a red shift when you look at a distant object.
Is it not possible that it is a finite universe and
that we (earth) are close to the edge of it, just outside the scope of
their(scientists) optic tools whether its hubble space telescope or
otherwise?
"Just otside the scope"? Do you mean that perhaps the edge of the universe
is just out of sight? How would this affect red shift?
If this does not answer your question, please clarify and ask again.
Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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Update: June 2012
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