[QUOTE=Chronos]
XT, the simplest model consistent with the evidence we have is that the Universe will have neither a Rip nor a Crunch, but just a whimper: Atoms (and planets, stars, and galaxies) will stay intact, but everything will just get cooler and cooler, and the available energy more and more dilute, until everything interesting just sort of fades away. That said, there’s enough we don’t know about the Dark Energy that a Rip or a Crunch is either one plausible (the former a bit more so than the latter).
[/QUOTE]
To paraphrase: Damnit, Jim, I’m a network engineer not a cosmologist! Thanks for the explanation…I have a very Science Channel view on current science wrt cosmology.
Another article I read states that Andromeda is due to collide with our galaxy
in the reasonably near future, about 1 billion years hence. Galactic size being what it is, very few stars or clusters will actually experience the impact violently.
Another prediction is that 5 billion years from now, the sky will give us no evidence
of any other galaxy but our own Andromeda/MilkyWay hybrid.
Perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky that we live in a time when millions
of galaxies are still observable. We are not cursed with astronomical
“white flight.” Or blue flight. Or yellow flight.
Two things. I don’t bother with info source cites in reply posts. Secondly I don’t
save source materials (newspaper and magazine clippings) except those which deal
with Texas history or my own medical issues. Your best bet is to read science pubs
and especially astronomy periodicals, all of which are available at your central library
or nearby college library. If you want SD posters to do research (cite sources) for you,
beware of pay-pal and other billing agencies.
Yes. The Universe is currently having a bit of a wild and crazy adolescence, but once it reaches adulthood and middle age, this will get pretty damned boring. Finally, there will be nothing left but a bit of radiation and some infinite sadness.
If you would like your comments to be taken seriously on the SDMB, your best bet is to adapt to the board, rather than attempt to force all of us to adapt to you. Your decision.
Maybe. But, with about 30 seconds of Googling, you could find a source.
I will echo Frank’s point about the culture on this Board. In GQ and GD especially, cites are often the sine qua non of having your point taken seriously. YMMV.
By the way, does anyone happen to know where the beginning of the universe is? I’d hate to take off in one direction and find out I went the long way around when I get to the end.
[QUOTE=Douglas Adams]
ARTHUR:
Ahhh! You mean we’ve travelled in time, but not in space!
ZAPHOD:
Listen you semi-evolved simian, go climb a tree, won’t you!
ARTHUR:
Oh go and bang your heads together, four eyes!
GARKBIT:
No, no, your monkey has got it right sir.
ARTHUR:
Who are you calling a monkey?!
GARKBIT:
You jumped forward in time many millions of years, while retaining the same position in space. Your friend has been waiting for you in the mean time.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Douglas Adams]
“Er…” [Zarquon] said, “hello. Er, look, I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I’ve had the most ghastly time, all sorts of things cropping up at the last moment.”
He seemed nervous of the expectant awed hush. He cleared his throat.
“Er, how are we for time?” he said, “have I just got a min—”
And so the Universe ended.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the explanation…I have a very Science Channel view on current science wrt cosmology.