Peter
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Everything is relative...
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Post by Peter on Jul 28, 2005 17:00:55 GMT -5
This is a humble entreaty from a novice... I have started to study the mysterious theory of dark matter. To me from what I know so far it seems as well-founded as the 'luminiferous aether' of the 1800's but I know there must be some base in logic for it's occurence. As I understand, dark matter cannot be detected or interacted with. Its sole purpose seems to be to hold together the failing 'big bang' theory. Please enlighten me, I need some help to make up my mind on the existence of dark matter! Thank you all!
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Post by Samus Aran on Aug 11, 2005 11:18:36 GMT -5
According to studies, with the currently calculated combined mass of the universe, there is only 20-40% of the required gravitational force required to hold back the indefinite expansion of the universe. This means that as the universe continues to expand, matter will continue to be spread out leaving large gaps and voids. Over the course of billions of years, all the stars will burn out leaving cold and desolate galaxies, in other words, a dead universe.
Many scientists refuse to believe that this is the future of the universe. Though the big-bang theory is well known, there is a more obscure notion known as the "Big Crunch". Some astrophysicists believe that the expanding universe will be halted by gravity and begin to shrink again. Eventually all matter would be collected into one tiny point again (as in before the big bang) and will explode again into a new universe. This concept puts things into a new perspective, because that means that the big bang/big crunch cycle could have happened many times already.
However, in order for this to happen, there needs to be enough gravitation to overcome intergalactic drift. Scientists have been unable to identify this "dark matter" which could explain the missing amounts of mass unaccounted for. The luminiferous ether idea is very primitive. Instead, some theoreticians believe that many forms of matter may be undetectable with our current technology. I don't think we will be discovering this "dark matter" whithin our lifetimes.
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Peter
Lt Commander
Everything is relative...
Posts: 255
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Post by Peter on Aug 13, 2005 10:26:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm still not sure about dark matter. Its a strange topic, and a very interesting one. There was an article in new scientist a few weeks ago about alternatives to the big bang theory and that slightly mentioned dark matter but not in as much depth as I would like.
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Moreta
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Post by Moreta on Aug 31, 2005 9:51:01 GMT -5
According to studies, with the currently calculated combined mass of the universe, there is only 20-40% of the required gravitational force required to hold back the indefinite expansion of the universe. Actually, I think youll find its much less than that. There is only about 10% of the required amount.
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Peter
Lt Commander
Everything is relative...
Posts: 255
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Post by Peter on Aug 31, 2005 14:06:02 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I'm beginning to understand a bit more about it and it seems to have a little more basis in reality than I thought! Very interesting. I think you are right about 10%, Empress of Europa.
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Post by Samus Aran on Aug 31, 2005 15:38:13 GMT -5
Okay maybe 10% is what they are saying now. Back when I did some research on this in 1997, 20-40% was the popular figure.
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Moreta
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Post by Moreta on Aug 31, 2005 17:14:13 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I'm beginning to understand a bit more about it and it seems to have a little more basis in reality than I thought! Very interesting. I think you are right about 10%, Empress of Europa. *Giggles* I know Im right. I did Physics A level and Im going to be doing a Physics degree at university. Its one of those figures I had to know
Im sure I made quite a long post somewhere on this board related to Dark Matter. Im not sure how much useful info it has in it and how relevant it actually is, but Ill give you a link anyway Im sure I made one but Ill be damned if I can find it
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Peter
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Post by Peter on Sept 1, 2005 15:37:17 GMT -5
Aha wonderful I also plan on A Level Physics next year (I'm currently doing Higher Physics) and studying physics at university! Guess I'll be learning all that stuff pretty soon. What is the career you are going for then?
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Moreta
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Post by Moreta on Sept 1, 2005 17:14:32 GMT -5
Well at one point my intention was to go into research or something, either quantum or astrophysics, but Im not certain Ill go down the physics career path anymore. I may do something else entirely lol.
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Peter
Lt Commander
Everything is relative...
Posts: 255
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Post by Peter on Sept 3, 2005 2:02:16 GMT -5
Hehe cool yeah you have to stick with Physics! Its the best! Na, its your life though =) I hope you are successful for whatever you do.
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