Based on current observations, the universe is actually expanding at an exponential rate, particularly at the edge of the known universe. Proponents of this theory believe that "dark energy" is driving this great expansion. The theory further states that the expansion rate could reach the speed of light.
A Stanford theoretical physics professor believed that when the speed of light is reached, those galaxies involved would "blink out" from our observable horizon. He also theorized that those galaxies would "freeze" like a still photograph in its journey to the void of space. But we could wonder: what if these galaxies continued to expand at a rate greater than the speed of light? If so, then it is possible that time itself would reverse its progress. What would happen if they reverse to the point of zero time in a universal scale? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Hugo" <fintlewoodle...@...> wrote: > > Dark energy may not exist in space, scientists claim Dark matter and > energy, the mysterious forces thought to make up 96 per cent of the > universe, may not exist according to a groundbreaking study. > By Heidi Blake <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/heidi-blake/> > Published: 7:30AM BST 15 Jun 2010 > [Dark energy may not exist in space, scientists claim] The studies > into dark energy were made by physicists at Durham University Photo: PA > British scientists have claimed that the method used to calculate the > make-up of the universe may be wrong. > > The universe as we know it formed of recognisable components such > as planets, stars, asteroids and gas - accounts for just four per cent > of the cosmos, according to the decades old Standard Model > <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7828889/The-Standard-Mo\ > del-of-the-universe-explained.html> . > The rest is thought to be made up of mysterious dark matter and dark > energy > <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6062688/Dark-energy-how-would-you-ex\ > plain-it.html> . This permeates space and powers the expansion of the > universe. > But physicists at Durham University now claim the calculations on which > the Standard Model is based could be fatally flawed. > > This raises the possibility that the "dark side" of the cosmos > does not exist, which in turn could mean that the universe is expanding > less quickly than previously thought. > > Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society, which published the > findings, said: "This would challenge greatly our assumptions about > the long term future of the universe, because the assumption at the > moment is that the universe is expanding and if it isn't that would > be a huge shock. > > "It could even mean that the expansion of the universe is slowing > down and could grind to a halt." > > A new analysis of measurements taken by NASA of Big Bang heat radiation > in 2001 showed that the heat waves may be far smaller than previously > thought. > > When the measurements were first taken in 2001 the size of the ripples > in the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation led scientists to conclude > that the cosmos is made up of four percent "normal" matter, 22 percent > "dark" or invisible matter and 74 percent "dark" energy. > > But scientists now claim that the waves of radiation which were > previously measured at about twice the size of the full moon may in fact > be less than half that size. > > Professor Tom Shanks, who led the research, said: "CMB observations > are a powerful tool for cosmology and it is vital to check for > systematic effects. If our results prove correct then it will become > less likely that dark energy and exotic matter particles dominate the > universe. So the evidence that the universe has a dark side will > weaken." > > > > Found this here: > > http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7827674/Dark-energy-may-not-exi\ > st-in-space-scientists-claim.html > <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7827674/Dark-energy-may-not-ex\ > ist-in-space-scientists-claim.html> >
