Originally posted by guy222
The feat aborted would've been a wonderous feat to behold. Setting back time almost 14 billion yrs. Incredible
Writer didn't know their astronomy. Earth is only 4.6 billion years old. The solar system just under 5 billion. The universe itself is 13.7 billion.
Heh. 😉 "Flash Fact."
Originally posted by Mindset
How do they know how old the universe is?
They've seen things 11-12 billion lightyears away with high powered telescopes. And they can then tell what those things are, how long they took to form, and how long they've been there...
..Then they realize, well, why don't we see anything more developed and older in these far away systems, and viola.
Originally posted by EnyalusAre you sure about that?
They've mapped it out though, via the cosmic microwave background radiation leftover from the Big Bang.
Also, I just read that they measure the age of the universe by viewing the expansion of other galaxies.
I had astronomy in highschool, I'm sure my teacher would be proud that I don't remember anything. 🙂
Originally posted by Mindset
Are you sure about that?
Positive. Trust me, I'm fantastic.
Originally posted by Mindset
Also, I just read that they measure the age of the universe by viewing the expansion of other galaxies.
Sort of. Almost all galaxies move away from us. Called a red shift. The things we see through the high powered telescopes I was telling you about? Those are galaxies for the most part. Because they give off a lot of light...and to be seen from 10-12 billion lightyears away, you need a lot of light. By calculating their redshift...
Originally posted by Mindset
I had astronomy in highschool, I'm sure my teacher would be proud that I don't remember anything. 🙂
Hehe. I didn't have astronomy in high school (I had Earth Space Science though), but did take it as a junior at university.