Universe expands continually from "summary" of Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
The idea that the universe is constantly expanding might seem counterintuitive at first. After all, we tend to think of the universe as a fixed entity, unchanging and eternal. But the truth is quite different. In fact, scientists have discovered that the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate.
This discovery was made possible by observations of distant galaxies. By studying the light emitted by these galaxies, scientists were able to determine that they are moving away from us. And the farther away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving. This led to the realization that the universe is not only expanding, but that this expansion is accelerating.
So why is the universe expanding? The answer lies in the concept of dark energy, a mysterious force that permeates all of space. Dark energy is thought to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe, pushing galaxies apart at an increasing rate.
This idea of an expanding universe has profound implications for our understanding of the cosmos. It suggests that the universe had a beginning, a moment when everything we know was compressed into a tiny, hot, dense state. And it implies that the universe will continue to expand indefinitely, eventually becoming cold and dark.
But perhaps the most mind-boggling aspect of this concept is the realization that the universe is not expanding into anything. There is no edge to the universe, no boundary beyond which there is nothing. Instead, the universe is expanding in on itself, stretching the very fabric of space and time.
In the end, the idea of a continually expanding universe challenges our most deeply held beliefs about the nature of reality. It invites us to think beyond the confines of our everyday experience and consider the vastness of the cosmos, with all its mysteries and wonders.
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