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Dark matter/energy
Here is a little challenge for you.
How would you explain the concepts behind these to someone who was not a scientist, but has basic knowledge about the universe, you know gravity, speed of light etc. I ask because someone asked me, and as I'm not a scientist either, I found myself at somewhat of a loss, saying things like.. Um, well we cannot see it, but we know its there as its gravity is there, but also as there is a mysterious force which is kind of biasing the universe to carry on expanding... wem... Obviously, the mysterious force has a different law to gravity, or as gravity weakened, so would the force. I gave up as I was aware I was kind of explaining myself into a corner...! Brian -- Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email. graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them Email: __________________________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________ |
#2
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Dark matter/energy
Brian Gaff wrote: How would you explain the concepts behind these to someone who was not a scientist, but has basic knowledge about the universe, you know gravity, speed of light etc. I'd say, "Dark matter and dark energy are handwavium for observations that astronomers cannot yet explain." Mike Miller |
#3
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Dark matter/energy
Hmm, a bit of a cop out really.
Its also interesting to note that the apparent force tearing the universe apart is getting apparently stronger. It makes you wonder as all that matter going into black holes must have some effect somewhere! Brian -- Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email. graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them Email: __________________________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________ wrote in message oups.com... | | Brian Gaff wrote: | How would you explain the concepts behind these to someone who was not a | scientist, but has basic knowledge about the universe, you know gravity, | speed of light etc. | | I'd say, "Dark matter and dark energy are handwavium for observations | that astronomers cannot yet explain." | | Mike Miller | |
#4
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Dark matter/energy
Brian Gaff wrote: Hmm, a bit of a cop out really. That's my thought about dark matter and dark energy. They feel like the new epicycles, a cop-out until something better can come along. For example, some are trying to explain observations without dark matter: http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/1475-7516/2005/05/003 Right or wrong, it shows you don't always have to use dark matter to explain mysterious observations. Mike Miller |
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