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Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/1/2008 10:43:46 PM
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ta_mosquito
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From: from MN, now in Ontario :D
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Some excerpts (emphasis mine):
Earth may be trapped in an abnormal bubble of space-time that is particularly devoid of matter.
If we were in an unusually sparse area of the universe, then things could look farther away than they really are and there would be no need to rely on dark energy as an explanation for certain astronomical observations.
One problem with the void idea, though, is that it negates a principle that has reigned in astronomy for more than 450 years: namely, that our place in the universe isn't special.
"This idea that we live in a void would really be a statement that we live in a special place," Clifton told SPACE.com. "The regular cosmological model is based on the idea that where we live is a typical place in the universe. This would be a contradiction to the Copernican principle."
LINK
So, do y'all think we live in a special place in the universe?
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Tricia
"There's a fine line between being open-minded and empty-headed." ~Michael Coren
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/2/2008 1:10:44 AM
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whisperingwaters
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From: Michigan
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
Earth may be trapped in an abnormal bubble of space-time that is particularly devoid of matter.
So, do y'all think we live in a special place in the universe?
I'm not sure if we are in a bubble or not but I do think we live in a special place in this universe.
_____________________________
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/2/2008 8:54:00 AM
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Jhud
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This is a good companion thread to my thread here, The Solar System is Special; increasingly, the Copernican Principle, which says the earth is mediocre because it is the result of ordinary natural forces, is proving to be bunk.
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Jack
It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first..
- Ronald Reagan
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/2/2008 9:13:15 AM
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KaseyTom
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It is unclear (at least to me) whether the sparse area described in the article is on a galactic scale or a universal scale.
If it is in a galactic scale, it speculates out solar system may be unique within our galaxy, which is only one of 125 billion or so.
If it is on a cosmic scale, it speculates the 10 billion or so stars in our galaxy may be unique within the Cosmos.
Or maybe I missed the idea completely.
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/2/2008 10:08:28 AM
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essentialsaltes
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From: Inglewood, CA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: KaseyTom
It is unclear (at least to me) whether the sparse area described in the article is on a galactic scale or a universal scale.
If it is in a galactic scale, it speculates out solar system may be unique within our galaxy, which is only one of 125 billion or so.
If it is on a cosmic scale, it speculates the 10 billion or so stars in our galaxy may be unique within the Cosmos.
Or maybe I missed the idea completely.
We'll have to wait for the publication of the actual paper, but I suspect that the sparse bubble will have to be very very large, at least as large as the local group of galaxies.
_____________________________
"My object in all arguments is not to make any preconceived opinion of mine seem right, but merely to discover and establish the truth, whatever the truth may be."
-- HP Lovecraft, letter to Robert E. Howard 7/27-28/34
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/2/2008 2:45:16 PM
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DanJames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: essentialsaltes
quote:
ORIGINAL: KaseyTom
It is unclear (at least to me) whether the sparse area described in the article is on a galactic scale or a universal scale.
If it is in a galactic scale, it speculates out solar system may be unique within our galaxy, which is only one of 125 billion or so.
If it is on a cosmic scale, it speculates the 10 billion or so stars in our galaxy may be unique within the Cosmos.
Or maybe I missed the idea completely.
We'll have to wait for the publication of the actual paper, but I suspect that the sparse bubble will have to be very very large, at least as large as the local group of galaxies.
I agree. I don't see how the "bubble" could be any smaller since the galaxies within our local group are relatively close together... at least from what we can tell. Are they saying that the there is only an apparent void and actually it's very dense? Or are they saying that there is an actual void that is making things look farther and faster than they are?
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/3/2008 2:12:28 PM
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Real_Solitude
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DanJames
I agree. I don't see how the "bubble" could be any smaller since the galaxies within our local group are relatively close together... at least from what we can tell. Are they saying that the there is only an apparent void and actually it's very dense? Or are they saying that there is an actual void that is making things look farther and faster than they are?
The impression I got from the responses to this article when it was posted on Slashdot.com, it is the second option. If our area of space were less dense than the average, it would decrease the effects of relativity within this 'bubble'. This would make everything outside of the bubble appear to move faster.
_____________________________
"Instead of feeling alone in a group its better to have real solitude all by yourself."
~Faye Valentine
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/3/2008 4:56:02 PM
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DanJames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Real_Solitude
quote:
ORIGINAL: DanJames
I agree. I don't see how the "bubble" could be any smaller since the galaxies within our local group are relatively close together... at least from what we can tell. Are they saying that the there is only an apparent void and actually it's very dense? Or are they saying that there is an actual void that is making things look farther and faster than they are?
The impression I got from the responses to this article when it was posted on Slashdot.com, it is the second option. If our area of space were less dense than the average, it would decrease the effects of relativity within this 'bubble'. This would make everything outside of the bubble appear to move faster.
Oh conventional physics, why have you betrayed us so?
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/3/2008 5:11:43 PM
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Raptorman
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To be honest, I'm a little hesitant with the concept of Earth being created in a state of "uniqueness," for the time being. Of course, I consider Earth to be a very special place (The Privileged Planet provides a lot of useful info), but we are only beginning to uncover the secrets of other solar systems, so I personally think it is premature to say Earth is completely "unique" from its place in the galaxy, ability to have a water cycle, axial tilt, etc. We don't know yet if there are other planets much like ours, tucked away in some obscure corner of the universe. God has a habit of surprising us, so we never know what could be out there.
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"Satan himself trembles when the weakest saint is on his knees."
-Unknown
"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you."
-Gandalf, "Lord of the Rings"
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RE: Earth May Be Unique, In a "Cosmic Bubble" - 10/4/2008 4:58:04 AM
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Real_Solitude
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DanJames
Oh conventional physics, why have you betrayed us so?
Because while apples may be fine demonstrations in 'middle world', when you get to the scale of galaxies, you don't want those apples falling anywhere near you. When you get to the quantum level, you can't even see the apple drop.
_____________________________
"Instead of feeling alone in a group its better to have real solitude all by yourself."
~Faye Valentine
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