How big is the Universe?

[sandy whitelinger]

I remember when the Hubble was launched there was some discussion at the time that it may well be able to see to the edge of the universe. That has not occurred. If indeed there is an edge to the physical universe, unless we are near the exact centre, we should be glimpsing something in the relatively near future. The fact is, we haven't, as of yet. My guess is that this fabled edge of the universe will not be discovered in our lifetimes.

Using the model of the universe where it is curved back on itself then there is no "edge" of the universe. If you left home one day traveling in a straight line, faster than the speed of light, you would ultimately wind up back where you started only from the other direction.

 

[Cordoba]

Time is present only when you have change and motion. Ours is a universe with the dimensions of time. But some cosmologists and astronomers are hypothesizing that based upon the model of our universe there is no reason why the parameters could not be extended to include other universes and even multiverses some without the very dimensions of time. Pretty wild concepts given the size of our universe.

The existence of other universes is a basic belief in Islam

Our immense universe is very small in comparison with the other "universe" which consists of 7 different universes

There are special gates which connect our universe to the other universes, which no one can access except with the permission of The Creator

It's true this is not a scientific explanation, but as this thread is in the Science vs. Religion sub-forum, I find no problem in accepting a faith-based explanation revealed by The Creator with scientific understandings

 

[Michel07]

The existence of other universes is a basic belief in Islam

Our immense universe is very small in comparison with the other "universe" which consists of 7 different universes

There are special gates which connect our universe to the other universes, which no one can access except with the permission of The Creator

It's true this is not a scientific explanation, but as this thread is in the Science vs. Religion sub-forum, I find no problem in accepting a faith-based explanation revealed by The Creator with scientific understandings

That is interesting Cordoba because in the Christian faith Jesus said " MY kingdom is not of this world." Some cosmologists are alluding to the conclusion that religion was way ahead of them on this. And that "the Kingdom" may be a different universe even without the dimensions of time and hence of course , eternal.

 

[logician]

That is interesting Cordoba because in the Christian faith Jesus said " MY kingdom is not of this world." Some cosmologists are alluding to the conclusion that religion was way ahead of them on this. And that "the Kingdom" may be a different universe even without the dimensions of time and hence of course , eternal.

Never have heard this theory before.

 

[YmirGF]

Using the model of the universe where it is curved back on itself then there is no "edge" of the universe. If you left home one day traveling in a straight line, faster than the speed of light, you would ultimately wind up back where you started only from the other direction.

I am fully aware of that model Sandy. I was only telling about conjecture of various scientists working at Nasa at the time. After all, we are not exactly sure which model is correct now, are we.

 

[crystalonyx]

I am fully aware of that model Sandy. I was only telling about conjecture of various scientists working at Nasa at the time. After all, we are not exactly sure which model is correct now, are we.

One cannot travel faster than the speed of light, and travel in a straight line could take you anywhere, not necessarily back to where you started.

 

[Cordoba]

<< One cannot travel faster than the speed of light >>

Angels are created from light

Could they be an exception to that law?

 

[Popeyesays]

<< One cannot travel faster than the speed of light >>

Angels are created from light

Could they be an exception to that law?

Strictly by logic, no since they would BE light, they would be subject to all the strictures of light.

Could an angel be created at the exact place where it was needed instantaneously? I doubt anyone has any idea if that would be possible.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Halcyon]

Using the model of the universe where it is curved back on itself then there is no "edge" of the universe. If you left home one day traveling in a straight line, faster than the speed of light, you would ultimately wind up back where you started only from the other direction.

I think this theory has been shown to be unlikely, apparently there is not enough matter in the universe to cause a curve, there's not enough visible matter to even hold it flat, so that's why dark matter was hypothesised, to hold the universe flat.

And to answer the original question, we can't know how big the universe is because light only travels so fast. Once we start seeing 15 billion year old light we reach the edge of the visible universe, in reality the physical universe could stretch far beyond this boundry.

 

[Halcyon]

Strictly by logic, no since they would BE light, they would be subject to all the strictures of light.

Could an angel be created at the exact place where it was needed instantaneously? I doubt anyone has any idea if that would be possible.

Regards,
Scott

Light can be artificially propelled faster than it's natural speed.
Science Blog -- Light that travels faster than light

 

[YmirGF]

One cannot travel faster than the speed of light, and travel in a straight line could take you anywhere, not necessarily back to where you started.

I suspect I am rather more aware of the different models than most of the writers in this thread. Thanks just the same though (I guess).

 

[Popeyesays]

Light can be artificially propelled faster than it's natural speed.
Science Blog -- Light that travels faster than light

It's been postulated in several venues that we experience photona which did not originate in this universe at all.

Though in this extremity of angels and lioght waves however fast a photon may or may not travel it is still "light" and travels at its own speed.

Whether they move at variations of light as phoons, or dance on the heads of pins, it is mostly useless to discuss the material nature of angels.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Ben Dhyan]

<< One cannot travel faster than the speed of light >>

Angels are created from light

Could they be an exception to that law?

According to the theory, time stands still at the speed of light,..so a light being does not age, hence,.. since time is no longer a constraint, the size of the cosmos and speed of travel are irrelevant,.. the whole cosmos is an 'open book'.

 

[Sunstone]

How big is the Universe? Not as big as the multi-universe, which was created in 1963 by the Acme Latex Corporation, Reality Division, in order to expand markets.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

How big is the Universe?
Not as big as the multi-universe, which was created in 1963 by the Acme Latex Corporation, Reality Division, in order to expand markets.

For sure, a monopoly will emerge to absorb these entrepreneurial wannabes into the uni-multi-universe.

 

[Cordoba]

According to the theory, time stands still at the speed of light,..so a light being does not age, hence,.. since time is no longer a constraint, the size of the cosmos and speed of travel are irrelevant,.. the whole cosmos is an 'open book'.

Interesting

This is how the Qur'an describes the other universes which are beyond our universe:

[(And it is He who) created seven heavens in layers] (67:3)

i.e. one layer covering or fitting over the other

 

[sandy whitelinger]

One cannot travel faster than the speed of light, and travel in a straight line could take you anywhere, not necessarily back to where you started.

There was a lady named Bright,Who traveled faster than light.She once went away,in a relative way,and returned the previous night.

 

[Cordoba]

"Haven't the unbelievers seen that the heavens and the earth were joined together (in one singularity), then we clove both of them asunder.”

(The Qur'an, 21:30)

Islam Online- News Section

 

[crystalonyx]

I suspect I am rather more aware of the different models than most of the writers in this thread. Thanks just the same though (I guess).

Then what's your point?

 

[Ben Dhyan]

"Haven't the unbelievers seen that the heavens and the earth were joined together (in one singularity), then we clove both of them asunder.”

(The Qur'an, 21:30)

Quaint language but yes, that is my understanding.
The seven layers are common to the Hindu esoteric tradition as well,..known as the lokas and talas,.. involutional and evolutional complementary opposites. They are supposedly joined at 'laya' centers.
Laya is a sanskrit word from which the word 'layer' is derived and means 'point of dissolution'.
So to be born into a 'higher' kingdom of the Oneness, one must pass through the process of dissolution (death).
Since Allah is the immanent and transcendent Oneness of the multiverse, the apparent 'death' is an illusional one.
Still, for we mortals who presently are identifying with the loka/tala representing physical earth, it requires great courage and faith to surrender to Allah.