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Big Bang or Big Bounce?: New theory on the universe's birth
Key Concepts: * Einstein’s general theory of relativity says that the universe began with the big bang singularity, a moment when all the matter we see was concentrated at a single point of infinite density. But the theory does not capture the fine, quantum structure of spacetime, which limits how tightly matter can be concentrated and how strong gravity can become. To figure out what really happened, physicists need a quantum theory of gravity.
* According to one candidate for such a theory, loop quantum gravity, space is subdivided into “atoms” of volume and has a finite capacity to store matter and energy, thereby preventing true singularities from existing.
* If so, time may have extended before the bang. The prebang universe may have undergone a catastrophic implosion that reached a point of maximum density and then reversed. In short, a big crunch may have led to a big bounce and then to the big bang.
Atoms are now such a commonplace idea that it is hard to remember how radical they used to seem. When scientists first hypothesized atoms centuries ago, they despaired of ever observing anything so small, and many questioned whether the concept of atoms could even be called scientific. Gradually, however, evidence for atoms accumulated and reached a tipping point with Albert Einstein’s 1905 analysis of Brownian motion, the random jittering of dust grains in a fluid. Even then, it took another 20 years for physicists to develop a theory explaining atoms—namely, quantum mechanics—and another 30 for physicist Erwin Müller to make the first microscope images of them. Today entire industries are based on the characteristic properties of atomic matter.
Physicists’ understanding of the composition of space and time is following a similar path, but several steps behind. Just as the behavior of materials indicates that they consist of atoms, the behavior of space and time suggests that they, too, have some fine-scale structure—either a mosaic of spacetime “atoms” or some other filigree work. Material atoms are the smallest indivisible units of chemical compounds; similarly, the putative space atoms are the smallest indivisible units of distance. They are generally thought to be about 10 –35 meter in size, far too tiny to be seen by today’s most powerful instruments, which probe distances as short as 10 –18 meter. Consequently, many scientists question whether the concept of atomic spacetime can even be called scientific. Undeterred, other researchers are coming up with possible ways to detect such atoms indirectly.
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I believe this plane of existence is composed just like an atom as well. It seems like there is a Universal architecture that is huge (the solar system, Universe), to the smallest particles we know starting with the atom. No matter what, I know I am 'here' and 'now' and however the Universe is built, no matter how fascinating this subject is, I exist with the rest of the world, and my existence depends on the rest of the world, therefore, all of our existences are dependent on one another, just like the Universe is dependent on it's architecture. So, with that said, I feel we all have a responsibility to help the world in one way or more and that world peace is possible with the collective consciousnesses of all people now living. namaste Key Concepts: * Einstein’s general theory of relativity says that the universe began with the big bang singularity, a moment when all... more -
What really wiped out the dinosaurs?
Dinosaurs are the most successful creatures who have ever lived on Earth; dominating the Mesozoic era for an amazing 100 million years, they had apparently cracked the problem of how to survive on our hostile planet.
But what caused such a successful group of animals to, around 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period, suddenly die out? (I should first point out that it is undoubtedly a good thing for us that they did!)
The debate as to what dealt such a collossal blow as to wipe out the dominant life form on our planet is a fierce one: some put it down to an asteroid impact (the most readily understandable theory to the layman, and hence the one most of us know about), but other theories include a massive volcanic erruption, or even a massive burst of radiation from the heavens.
But now a new theory, which claims to be able to explain all of the five great extinctions that we observe in the fossil record, has been published in the journal Nature.
It's autor, Shanan Peters, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, believes that a sudden rise in sea level can explain not only the extinctions themselves, but furthermore which and why specific species went extinct. Perhaps surprisingly, he believes that a FALL in sea levels, which happened at around the time the dinosaurs died out, is responsible for their extinction.
We know that around 100 million years ago, there were shallow seas across most of Europe and part of North America: when these dissappeared, the effect would have been to make the adjacent land-masses, on which the dinosaurs lived, "suddently...hot and dry", Peters says.
Although the evidence of the massive Chicxulub crater, dated to around the time of the most recent mass extinction, is hard to dismiss, the fact that other craters of similar size are observed on Earth which do NOT correspond to an extinction, suggests that there is more to the story. Gradual changes in sea level, while not as immediate and, frankly, as interesting as an impactor, provide a realistic and testable theory for the nature of the regular extinctions which take place on Earth.
The bad news, for us in the present day, is that mass extinctions can be, and probably have been, caused by RISES in sea level, which have a much more direct effect on land animals!
The take home message: keep a close eye on the oceans. Dinosaurs are the most successful creatures who have ever lived on Earth; dominating the Mesozoic era for an amazing 100 million years... more -
Biography: Glenn Gould
Perhaps the most influential musicians of out time, Glen Gould changed the way the world looked at classical music. Glen was a unique and revolutionary pianist, composer, conductor, musical philosopher, and recording engineer. Often a tough pill to swallow for many of the day's greats, Gould's eccentric and controversial ways change the way the world heard and learned about music. Perhaps the most influential musicians of out time, Glen Gould changed the way the world looked at classical music. Glen was a unique ... more
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new theories that just kickin time in the Arse...
We have this sense that time is drifting.Change,decay and death are key connections to these theories,its relavence is shown through passing with birthdays and anniversaries.but soon time is dwindling down fast - even the concept of time itself.hhhhmmm...To read more about this click on the link...it's pretty great! We have this sense that time is drifting.Change,decay and death are key connections to these theories,its relavence is shown through p... more
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Scientists see why people see 'ghosts'
Team of neuroscientist's from the University College London explain's a theory on how your mind can make you think,and see thing's that aren't there...they focus mostly on people who have witnessed "Ghosts" or "Spirits",..Click on link for more on this subject...hhhmmmm. Team of neuroscientist's from the University College London explain's a theory on how your mind can make you think,and see t... more
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