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Astrophysics/a living universe?

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Expert: - 8/27/2010


Question
I've been thinking about the universe's expansion lately and I
realized that growth is one of the main things that separates
living things from nonliving things. So, if the universe is
growing does that mean that it is alive?

Answer
Living things grow by a specific process that is based on multiplication of living cells - which contain DNA, nuclei etc. The universe by contrast has no living cells, and whatever growth has no parallel whatsoever to an organic entity. "Growth" is a poor word to use for cosmic expansion since the material components themselves (e.g. galaxy clusters) are not multiplying. (Stars are being formed, true, but this isn't the same thing)

Further, there are other characteristic attributes of living things besides growth, which include reproduction, nutrition, metabolism...etc. none of which remotely applies to the cosmos.

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Volunteer

Philip A. Stahl

Expertise

I specialize in stellar and solar astrophysics. Can answer any questions pertaining to these areas, the spectroscopic analysis of stars – as well as the magneto-hydrodynamics of sunspots and solar flares. Sorry – No homework problems done or research projects! I will provide hints on solutions.

Experience

Have published papers on the relationship between sunspot morphology and solar flares; discovery of SID flares related to this, constructed computerized stellar models; MHD research.

Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar physics and Dynamical astronomy divisions), American Geophysical Union, American Mathematical Society, Intertel.

Publications
Solar Physics, Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Journal of the Barbados Astronomical Society, Meudon Solar Flare Proceedings (Meudon, France). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.

Education/Credentials
B.A. degree in Astronomy; M.Phil. degree in Physics - specializing in solar physics.

Awards and Honors
Postgraduate research award- Barbados government; Studentship Award in Solar Physics - American Astronomical Society

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