+19 votes
in Speed of Light by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+8 votes
by

The question of what lies beyond the observable universe is still a subject of active scientific investigation and debate. The observable universe refers to the portion of the universe from which light has had enough time to reach us since the Big Bang, given the current age of the universe and the speed of light.

If we consider a star that formed early in the history of the universe and is now near the edge of the observable universe, its light would have traveled for a vast amount of time to reach us. However, it's important to note that the expansion of the universe can affect the observed properties of distant objects.

As the universe expands, the space between galaxies and other cosmic structures also expands. This expansion causes a phenomenon known as cosmological redshift, where the wavelength of light from distant objects is stretched, shifting it towards longer, redder wavelengths. This redshift can be used to estimate the distance to these objects.

If a star is located near the edge of the observable universe, its light would have undergone significant redshift due to the expansion of the universe during its journey to us. However, the light from such a star would not pass through the literal "edge" of the universe. The concept of an edge of the universe is not well-defined, as it is still unknown whether the universe is finite or infinite in size.

Currently, there are different hypotheses regarding the large-scale structure and ultimate fate of the universe, such as cosmic inflation, dark energy, and possible multiverse theories. Exploring these questions is an active area of research, and scientists are continually working to deepen our understanding of the universe beyond the observable portion.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...