What is the Universe expanding into..

Do you think there was anything before the big bang?

  • I don't think there was anything before the Big Bang

    Votes: 56 12.5%
  • I think something existed before the Big Bang

    Votes: 200 44.7%
  • I don't think the big bang happened

    Votes: 54 12.1%
  • I think the universe is part of a mutiverse

    Votes: 201 45.0%

  • Total voters
    447
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Another way to visualise the Universe is as a lattice.

View attachment 1094635

In this analogy, each cube is a cluster of galaxies, and the connecting rods represent the space between these clusters. When the Universe expands, imagine that every rod connecting the cubes grows longer at an even pace. Every single cube gets further and further away from every other cube, but the size of the cubes themselves stays the same. The cubes are not moving along the latticework but are being carried by the expansion of the lattice itself.

https://www.universeadventure.org/big_bang/expand-galaxy.htm#:~:text=The Apparent Movement of Galaxies The expansion of,appear to be moving apart from each other.
But this is the operative: "but are being carried by the expansion of the lattice itself". How is this 'not' movement? What scientific law does only it's "apparent" movement satisfy? What scientific law does considering it actual "movement" violate? Or better yet, what cosmological feathers are being ruffled by accepting such a notion? Why can't we perceive it legitimately from the outside looking in?
 
Why can't we perceive it legitimately from the outside looking in?

You are questioning the use of words when words are woefully inadequate to describe the expansion of the Universe.

Saying that we can be on "the outside looking in" suggests the Universe has an edge when it is either infinite in size or wraps around on itself.

And how would you explain the apparent movement of distant galaxy clusters at speeds exceeding the speed of light without invoking the metric expansion of space itself?
 
You are questioning the use of words when words are woefully inadequate to describe the expansion of the Universe.

Saying that we can be on "the outside looking in" suggests the Universe has an edge when it is either infinite in size or wraps around on itself.

And how would you explain the apparent movement of distant galaxy clusters at speeds exceeding the speed of light without invoking the metric expansion of space itself?
I'm merely attempting to successfully interpolate a scenario for the sake of comprehension. We have drawings and maps of the universe for this very purpose. Work with me here and do your best to glean the gist from my "woefully inadequate" ability to communicate. But please don't equate this to my ability to comprehend.
 
I did not use the words "woefully inadequate" to describe your ability to communicate.

Please do not put words in my mouth.

I do not have the answers you seek.

You need to consult someone who combines the abilities of Linguist, Physicist, Mathematician and Engineer.

Where is Steve when you need him? 🙂
 
I did not use the words "woefully inadequate" to describe your ability to communicate.

Please do not put words in my mouth.

I do not have the answers you seek.

You need to consult someone who combines the abilities of Linguist, Physicist, Mathematician and Engineer.

Where is Steve when you need him?
My response was rhetorically in keeping with your generalization, albeit with a good measure of self reflection. I'm just having a conversation here. I mean no animosity. I'm here to learn. From your insightful input so far, I believe you have the answers I'm looking for.
 
To get back on-topic, I do admire Doctor Sabine Hossenfelder's attitude to New Physics, She is skeptical.

Nobody has any idea what is going on in Cosmology and Physics! Makes zero sense to me.

If General Relativity makes sense we must concede that Classical Mechanics makes sense too. Consider this:

S7.11 Plutinos, Cubewanos and Twotinos.jpg


What does this mean? Anyone interested in Plutinos, Cubewanos and Twotinos must concede it's down to orbital resonances:

S7 Neptune by JWST 2022 Latest.jpg


Triton, near Neptune, is currently considered a captured KBO.

As a Mathematician, I think these things are crucial:

Galilean_moon_Laplace_resonance_animation_2(1).gif


Trans-Neptunian and Kuiper Belt Objects are most interesting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuiper_belt

S7.11 Arrokoth. Either a KBO or a TNP.jpg


But must admit that it is currently unsolved if anti-matter repels matter. The LHC is trying to solve this. May relate to the expansion of the Universe.

We must wait and see.

Best Regards from Steve, in Portsmouth UK.
 
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I believe you have the answers I'm looking for.

I'm flattered, but trying to reduce the concept of the expansion of the Universe to metaphors in an attempt to relate it to familiar experience just won't work.

We have drawings and maps of the universe for this very purpose (comprehension).

I'm not sure to what drawing/maps you refer, but it gives me an opportunity to attach a new annotated version of the logarithmic map of the observable Universe. (Note that the observable Universe is finite in its radius while the actual Universe is probably infinite.)
 

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    Observable Universe Map In Logarithmic Scale.jpg
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From what I read, asteroids formed from small pieces of rock and metal which ran into each other.

Provided they didn't collide too hard, the pieces would stick together.

So an asteroid is more a floating pile of entangled rubble than a solid rock.

Would those be loose rocks or is the whole asteroid a conglomerate?

A "conglomerate", a "thing consisting of different and distinct parts which are stuck together", would be a good description of an asteroid.
 
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