What is the Universe made of? Dark Energy?

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--------------------- #1516 - What is the Universe Made Of? Dark Energy?
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- The planets, stars, galaxies , galaxy clusters and Dark Matter are all bound together with the force of gravity. In the voids, in between, is “space” that is not bound by gravity because the attractive force of gravity is overcome by a repelling force of ? Outside these gravity bound structures space is expanding for some mysterious reason. The galaxy structures are flying apart with this expansion of space throughout the Universe. We call this mystery force Dark Energy.

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- In our time of evolution, in our place in the space of the Universe, and beyond 300,000,000 lightyears from our gravity bound structure, space is expanding at the rate of Hubble’s Constant:
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---------------------------- Ho = 47,000 miles per hour / million lightyears
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- Hubble’s constant was not constant over time. It was slower in the past which means it is faster now. And, recent measurements over the past decade suggest that the expansion is not only faster it is accelerating faster and faster. The repelling force is overcoming gravity at an even faster rate. Given this scenario the Universe will continue to expand forever, growing ever colder and darker and less dense. Galaxies and even atoms may continually be moving farther apart.
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- This mysterious repelling force in the vacuum of space we call Dark Energy.
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- Astronomers calculate that if the density of the Universe is greater than 10^-29 grams per cubic centimeter then gravity would be the winner over Dark Energy’s repulsion. This density is equivalent to having a few hydrogen atoms in the space of a closet, about a cubic meter.
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- If we add up the total luminous matter in the Universe we fall far short of the density needed for gravity to win. All the galaxies contribute only 0.5% of the matter density needed to halt the expansion of the Universe. However, this does not include the Dark Matter.
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- Dark Matter would have to be 200 times the mass of visible matter in order to have the critical density needed to halt expansion.
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- Measurements of individual galaxies calculate there to be 10 times as much Dark Matter as ordinary matter.
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- Measurements of galaxy clusters can calculate as much as 50 times Dark Matter over ordinary matter.
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- Still these measurements fall far short of the 200 times more Dark Matter need to reach the critical density. Gravity can not win if this is the case. Gravity can not halt the continued expansion. The Universe is in runaway condition. And , we do not know why?
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- When you do not know something you start coming up with possibilities:
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- (1) Maybe there is some strange kind of energy that fills the vacuum of space? When Einstein made the mistake correcting his mistake to account for the Universe not being static he added a fudge factor called the “ cosmological constant” that was repelling gravity. Maybe his “ blunder” is correct after all?
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- (2) Maybe there is more corrections need to the Theory of Relativity for Gravity. Maybe we need all new equations? Newton’s equations were correct yet incomplete. Einstein’s equations added new dimensions to Newton’s to account for immense gravity and enormous distances and extreme relative motions. Maybe the same thing needs to happen to Einstein’s equations?
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- (3) Maybe Dark Energy is simply a property of space. Space has amazing properties that we are just beginning to understand. Maybe “ empty space” contains its own energy. The more space that expands the more energy that is produced.
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- (4) Maybe the vacuum of space actually contains virtual particles that jump into and out of existence so fast they can not be detected and they do not violate the Conservation of Energy. However, when physicists try to use the equations from Quantum Mechanics to calculate the amount of energy virtual particles would produce their answers are off by 10^120. Ten followed by 120 zeros. yooops!
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- (5) Maybe we need a new theory of gravity? Is it bent space-time? Or, is it a force with ‘graviton’ force carriers like “photons” carry the electromagnetic force?
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- (6) Maybe our immediate Universe lives inside of a “ bubble” about 8 billion light years across surrounding us. If we were in the center of this void that would account for all the galaxies moving away from us. Astronomers say this theory is out. We do not live inside of a bubble unless you live in Washington D.C.
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- Why the Universe is accelerating its expansion remains a deep mystery. No known force would act to push galaxies apart. An enormous amount of energy would be required. All we know is that the Universe is composed of 73% of a repelling force of energy and 27% of an attracting force of matter. 23% being Dark Matter and 4% of normal matter that interacts with atoms that we understand. Humbling isn’t it.
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(1) Here are some other Reviews available upon request:
- 1290 Why is Dark Energy expanding the Universe?
- 1047 Is the Universe like Swiss Cheese?
- 1083 Dark Energy part I
- 1084 Dark Energy part II
- 1085 Dark Energy part III
- 822 Dark Energy
- 756 Dark Energy and Cosmic Inflation
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707-536-3272, Tuesday, November 20, 2012