Proving that the universe was not created a second ago is a philosophical and scientific question that delves into the nature of reality and our understanding of time. While it is impossible to provide absolute proof that the universe was not created a second ago, there are several lines of reasoning and scientific observations that support the idea of an older universe. Here are a few key points:
Cosmic Background Radiation: One of the strongest pieces of evidence for the universe's age is the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). This faint radiation is an afterglow of the Big Bang, which occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago. The CMB pervades the entire universe and provides valuable information about the early stages of the universe's formation.
Light from Distant Objects: When we observe light from distant astronomical objects, such as galaxies, we are essentially looking back in time. The vast distances between these objects and us mean that the light we receive has traveled for millions or billions of years before reaching our telescopes. The existence of such ancient light suggests that the universe has been around for a considerable amount of time.
Observable Universe: The observable universe, the portion of the universe we can see, extends nearly 46 billion light-years in all directions. This means that the light from the farthest reaches of the observable universe has taken approximately 46 billion years to reach us. If the universe were created a second ago, we would not be able to see objects located at such immense distances.
Consistency of Physical Laws: The laws of physics and their observed consistency across different timescales support the notion of an evolving universe. Various physical processes, such as stellar evolution, radioactive decay, and the expansion of the universe, take significant amounts of time to occur. The consistent operation of these processes over extended periods suggests that the universe has existed for more than just a second.
While these points provide strong evidence for an older universe, it is important to note that science always builds on the best available evidence and theories. Our understanding of the universe continues to evolve, and future discoveries might refine or expand our knowledge further.