JavaScript is required to use Bungie.net

Service Alert
We are actively investigating issues impacting players' ability to sign in to all Destiny releases on Xbox Platforms. Until resolved, players may experience disconnects or be unable to sign in. Please stay tuned to @BungieHelp for updates.

Forums

originally posted in: Ask me anything about Astronomy
4/7/2016 6:06:09 AM
1
I'll just get to my actual question, if the universe is only so old, how far into the universe can we see since light still takes time to reach us?
English

Posting in language:

 

Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

  • Last time I checked, the observable universe is about 47 billion light years in radius. The difference is because spacetime is expanding at a rate faster than the speed of light. You'll probably ask yourself, doesn't that mean we wouldn't see anything, and the answer is no. It's a tad hard to explain over text, but if you picture the observable universe as a sphere growing at the speed of light, it's slowly capturing light that is farther and farther away. That's the entire idea of "red shift," since the space between us and the light source as moved away, the light is less energetic.

    Posting in language:

     

    Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

  • Okay, thanks for answering.

    Posting in language:

     

    Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

You are not allowed to view this content.
;
preload icon
preload icon
preload icon