The scale of the universe

[Sioso]

I don't think that should make us feel small or insignificant.
The observable requires an observer, we are intimately connected.
Without something or someone (us) to observe it, it wouldn't actually exist.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by BLOWN.GTP

I don't think that should make us feel small or insignificant.
The observable requires an observer, we are intimately connected.
Without something or someone (us) to observe it, it wouldn't actually exist.

thats wrong . it exists wether something sees it or not , the fact that we see it only proves it;s there to us .

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by Madaya

I think we can safely say, there are no 'Intelligent Species' within 40 light years of us.
Lets not get caught up with definitions of 'Intelligent'. Apes don't build radio telescopes. Dolphins do not build computers. Ants can't read printed word. I think we all know what we are talking about.
The Earth would stand out from the dark, very starkly by the our use of powerful radio transmissions. Most of these are in the form of radar, many megawatts of radar. For ocean and air traffic control, military uses, deep space radio astronomy and lately, watching out for errant asteroids. I can not think of any species of advanced aliens that could get by (remember, we are talking about life as we know it, iow, life we can communicate to), without something as simple, but as essential as radar, for managing the transport affairs of their planet. Please don't say smoke signals, to guide something like a jumbo jet to a safe landing.
With our present day equipment, we have carefully monitored all the stars out to a radius of about 200 ly (= hundreds) and no errant radio emmissions have been detected.
Silence lays over the deep.

in a sense you are right , unless we are 200 earth years ahead in technology than any species within 40 light years of us , and or / maybe 500 years from now we might not communicate how we do today , which gives a narrow window , however i know what your saying , but i wouldnt bet on a safe bet with this one .

[Destroyer XR8]

I think if there is any other life form in the universe, chances are they'll find us first due to our inability to travel at the speed of light or even close to it, and explore further out, with our current technology were ristricted to how far we can go.

[just_pazz]

Check this out guys. For those that don't know the speed of light is 300,000 kilometers per second just to put this video in perspective.

http://youtu.be/8agz9FcDcPk

[Destroyer XR8]

Originally Posted by just_pazz

Check this out guys. For those that don't know the speed of light is 300,000 kilometers per second just to put this video in perspective.

http://youtu.be/8agz9FcDcPk

Interesting video mate, just gives us a glimpse of the size of the universe, it was interesting to see the unmappped areas, it could go forever as far as we know. I have heard theory's about space only going for a so far and eventually ending up in the same spot again, but then again the question is, what is outside of that.

[gtfpv]

this one kind of scares you .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7wNQw12l8

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

this one kind of scares you .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr7wNQw12l8

So does this one..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VEs11K0ATk

[Madaya]

Originally Posted by just_pazz

Check this out guys. For those that don't know the speed of light is 300,000 kilometers per second just to put this video in perspective.

http://youtu.be/8agz9FcDcPk

Excellent presentation. Carl Sagan would have been pleased.

[just_pazz]

Originally Posted by Destroyer XR8

Interesting video mate, just gives us a glimpse of the size of the universe, it was interesting to see the unmappped areas, it could go forever as far as we know. I have heard theory's about space only going for a so far and eventually ending up in the same spot again, but then again the question is, what is outside of that.

Yes well there are lots of unanswered questions regarding our universe and especially what is beyond it. We also have to remember that the universe will actually be alot bigger than we can see as there has been 14 odd billion years of acceleration and the light we are actually seeing has taken that long to reach us we are essentially looking back in time each and every time one looks at the night sky.

Originally Posted by Madaya

Excellent presentation. Carl Sagan would have been pleased.

Yep, I imagine he would have been. You can actually download the software on your pc now and explore the mapped universe from the comfort of your home. It's most definitely the 21st century.

[Fpvboss335]

Just read the bible guys
The answers are all written there

[ford man xf]

Originally Posted by Fpvboss335

Just read the bible guys
The answers are all written there

I don't think the bible tries to offer us an intricate explanation of the inner workings of the universe, people like to over analyse it and treat it as if it is some kind of scientific explanation on all kinds of matter, which it certainly isn't.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Fpvboss335

Just read the bible guys
The answers are all written there

Here's an interpretation.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/arti...hing-astronomy

Yeah, I laughed too.

[BF-2K7]

Originally Posted by Fpvboss335

Just read the bible guys
The answers are all written there

I like reading a good fictional book ............... might try that one .....again!

[just_pazz]

**** i thought he was being funny

[Madaya]

Science is not the enemy of religion, but sometimes it appears religion is the enemy of science.
Fpvboss335, the very same science that enabled construction of the computer you are using, and the vast array of the internet, the optic fibre links, the satellites, is the very same science and technology that leads many people to conclude that the Universe is very (a big VERY) old.
I have, with my own eyes, observed galaxies through my telescope that are millions of light years from the Earth. IOW, the light has taken millions of years to get here, bounce of a parabolic mirror, get bent by lenses to a sharp focus and impact my retina, causing some cells there to fire off an electric current that travels into a region of my brain and becomes a part of my conciousness.
To deny that this light is millions of years old is akin to saying your computer runs by some kind of magic, because the science that makes one thing work, is not applicable to the other.
On a simpler note, the science that makes your car work, is the same science that interperates the goings on at the event horizons of blackholes. What explains one thing here on earth, can be used to explain the expansion of the Universe. Nothing is exclusive.
Look, I don't want to bring down a thread. I think God is more concerned with my condition. When Jesus walked the Earth (and I do accept that as a fact, as I do the things I see through a telescope), he taught us how to live. He didn't delve into quantum physics or string theory when explaining how we should treat each other and who God is.
Sorry if it got heavy there, but I can live comfortably with my beliefs.

[Fpvboss335]

Originally Posted by Madaya

Science is not the enemy of religion, but sometimes it appears religion is the enemy of science.
Fpvboss335, the very same science that enabled construction of the computer you are using, and the vast array of the internet, the optic fibre links, the satellites, is the very same science and technology that leads many people to conclude that the Universe is very (a big VERY) old.
I have, with my own eyes, observed galaxies through my telescope that are millions of light years from the Earth. IOW, the light has taken millions of years to get here, bounce of a parabolic mirror, get bent by lenses to a sharp focus and impact my retina, causing some cells there to fire off an electric current that travels into a region of my brain and becomes a part of my conciousness.
To deny that this light is millions of years old is akin to saying your computer runs by some kind of magic, because the science that makes one thing work, is not applicable to the other.
On a simpler note, the science that makes your car work, is the same science that interperates the goings on at the event horizons of blackholes. What explains one thing here on earth, can be used to explain the expansion of the Universe. Nothing is exclusive.
Look, I don't want to bring down a thread. I think God is more concerned with my condition. When Jesus walked the Earth (and I do accept that as a fact, as I do the things I see through a telescope), he taught us how to live. He didn't delve into quantum physics or string theory when explaining how we should treat each other and who God is.
Sorry if it got heavy there, but I can live comfortably with my beliefs.

I don't dispute what your saying
Like a computer needed a creator, also the universe needed a creator

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Fpvboss335

I don't dispute what your saying
Like a computer needed a creator, also the universe needed a creator

That just starts a what created the creator debate.

I've seen better articles including the mechanics behind creating something from nothing but can't be bothered looking for it at this moment. Here's a succinct article on the subject.

http://www.space.com/16281-big-bang-...n-science.html

"In the very weird world of quantum mechanics, which describes action on a subatomic scale, random fluctuations can produce matter and energy out of nothingness. And this can lead to very big things indeed, researchers say."

[SM1DY]

This thread was interesting, now it has degenerated to talk of faith based beliefs. That is perfect recipe for a thread closure.

[Rodp]

Thought provoking often goes out the window as soon as faith is brought up. Shame because there were some interesting perspectives.

[poppa smurf]

I got told off by the director of all pleasurable pursuits this morning........I was shown my place in the universe and it's way smaller than you have measured here

I know because she told me so in no uncertain terms!

[Kable72]

inb4 lock

OT: I'm always fascinated by space and just the extreme size of the universe. It just blows my mind how tiny we as a race really are. At the same time, though, I am always amazed at the accomplishments that we achieve. Space walks, improvements in technology, cheating death (we used to have an average life span of only 25 years!). The human race is a vastly intelligent life form. Yes, even the ones we call stupid (snooki and niki minaj /shudder) are incredibly intelligent forms of life.

[Madaya]

Sorry I got carried away. Wont happen again. Any discussion about the Universe merits input of all kinds. But bringing faith based beliefs into it is a bit like slamming the door.
Please dont lock the thread on my account. If I could edit my previous post, I would.

[Adamz Ghia]

Makes me laugh, a couple of posts mention religion, everything is fine, then a select few start making noise. It's you people who get threads locked.

Religion is very relevant in how the universe was created. It's another theory that over a billion people on this planet believe. I may not be one of them, and I accept science as pure fact, but I'm not going to tell people who believe otherwise to be quiet. Mutual respect is a beautiful thing.

On topic, it boggles my mind on how small we really are. Those stars we see are already so old before their light reaches us, I find it impossible that there is no other life out there, and given the age of the universe, there are older galaxies than us which could support life, how much more advanced than us could they be?? Mind bending stuff which I love reading about!

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Makes me laugh, a couple of posts mention religion, everything is fine, then a select few start making noise. It's you people who get threads locked.

Religion is very relevant in how the universe was created. It's another theory that over a billion people on this planet believe. I may not be one of them, and I accept science as pure fact, but I'm not going to tell people who believe otherwise to be quiet. Mutual respect is a beautiful thing.

The thing is though, there are no other theories to go with Creationism other than this one dude with a big white beard and white long wavy hair created everything. The end.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

On topic, it boggles my mind on how small we really are. Those stars we see are already so old before their light reaches us, I find it impossible that there is no other life out there, and given the age of the universe, there are older galaxies than us which could support life, how much more advanced than us could they be?? Mind bending stuff which I love reading about!

There's a decent chance that there have been countless civilisations that have already come and gone. We've had a couple of impact caused extinction events in our planets history that life recovered from but there are numerous ways for life on this planet to end - without us being the cause - that we have absolutely no control over or power to stop.

There's a star in the constellation of Orion called Betelgeuse that is likely approaching supernova and it's ~600 light years away. Would be catastrophic to anything in the vicinity and when it does go supernova, it'll be visible in the day time sky and likely brighter than the moon in the night sky. That immense release of energy is just unfathomable to me.

[Kable72]

1000 times the diameter of our own Star. Unbelievable. Just blows me away everytime I think about it.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

The requirements for life would be very difficult to replicate on another planet orbiting another star. That perfect distance away from the sun that we are, among other things, means we have the ability to support life. As many planets as there are I'm sure, I doubt that there is another with that perfect balance that we have.

That only because we view life as we live it, there could be other humaniod species that don't require what "earthlings" need to sustain life.

[SM1DY]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Makes me laugh, a couple of posts mention religion, everything is fine, then a select few start making noise.

Forum rules state >

In short, the following things are not permitted:

1. Posts about or containing references to: religion, race, politics, sensitive or controversial subjects except at the discretion of the admin team.

I'd love to share my opinions on a few things here, mainly religion and politics, but that goes against the forum policy. So to avoid a seemingly interesting thread spiralling into a black hole, isn't it better to get on the front foot and focus thread towards its intended purpose?

[Sprint]

god's explaination of the universe

"poof it was created"

Has anybody thought "god" was working for a higher being?, it would take you 13.5 billion years at the speed of light(the fastest speed achievable) to reach the end and has more stars than a beach has grains of sand.

Surely one god cannot do that alone and we are definately not alone.