Astronomy/space

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Expert: - 2/13/2004


Question
If there is a fabric of space and time does it expand across the whole univere? Like is there one one fabric of space and time according to Enistien?

Thanks

Answer
Arpan,
The word 'fabric' is just a connived or convenient term
to describe the space-time continuum of our known visible
Universe....for lack of a better English word.
(Simply because it 'acts' like an elastic fabric when influenced by a strong gravitational field, like say, the region around a dense, massive, neutron star.)

And yes, according to our understanding of it, the space-time continuum is not only expanding at the Hubble rate of around 70 Km/sec per Megaparsec (which is not very fast considering that a megaparsec is 3,260,000 ly), our latest information, studies of very distant Type Ia supernovae, indicate that this expansion is actually *accelerating* as time goes by....contrary to what we once thought- that it was decelerating due to gravity.

It's my understanding, and I'm not an astrophysicist, just
an avid reader of the subject - that the space-time
continuum is one and the same.....not separate; that is,
you can't have one (space) without the other (time)-
in our known visible Universe.

Or as Einstein put it, take one away, and the other has
to disappear too.  Realize that this only applies to our
known visible Universe.  Recently, inflation theories and
string theory suggest that there might in fact be 'other
universes' out there, even other extra dimensions at the quantum level, which we know nothing about, so we would have no idea how their space and their time are inter-connected.
We can only observe our own Universe, and may be forever
disconnected from those, if they exist, other universes.

Hope this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA  

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

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Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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