Current Age of the Universe According to the Big Bang Theory - Case Study Example

The Age of the Universe According to the Big Bang Theory Introduction Philosophers, priests, and astronomers have considered the age of the universefor thousands of years. In the last century with observations and discoveries made by Edwin Hubble and Penzias and Wilson, as well as rapid technological developments, scientists and astronomers have been given tools that have allowed them to greatly advance a theory about the age of the universe. This essay considers these discoveries in the way they are implemented to determine the age of the universe according to the Big Bang Theory. Section I considers the age of the universe in regards to the varying aspects that were created during the Big Bang explosion; section II considers the means that the Hubble constant and the redshift are utilized to calculate the age of the universe; section III considers supporting evidence, including the cosmic microwave background radiation, that are utilized to determine the age of the universe; finally, section IV considers telescopes and future technology that might alter the calculations of the age of the universe. Section I: Big Bang In examining the age of the universe it’s necessary to consider that although the universe began relatively rapidly, different elements emerged at different times. While scientists and astronomers have made great strides over the last century in determining the age of the elements of the universe, it is still a debatable argument. The overriding understanding emerges from the Big Bang Theory, which has come to be accepted amongst most astronomers due to the overwhelming evidence in its favor. The core of the Big Bang Theory is that approximately 13 billion years ago, the universe suddenly exploded into existence during an occurrence that is now referred to as the Big Bang. It is unknown what occurred exactly before the Big Bang, as this was not an explosion in space and time, but was an explosion of space and time. “For a fraction of a second 10-34 to 10-32, the universe expanded at faster than the speed of light, driven by ‘anti-gravity’. At 10-10 to 10-6, both quarks and anti-quarks existed, but due to the temperature, most of it was destroyed, leaving a tiny fragment of matter. Quarks are the building blocks of protons and neutrons.”1 Inflation ceases after 300,000 years. This is due to the energy of the expanding universe being transformed into every type of particle and antiparticle. The temperature dropped to about 3000oc, which made the electrons and protons able to run around free. Hence, allowing them to create hydrogen. Due to the form of stable atoms they no longer interacted with photons, this allowed for light and electromagnetic energy to flow freely through the universe. At this point, there was time, space, energy, and the basic parts of the material universe. The universe was very basic, which had huge clouds of hydrogen and helium and was producing an endless amount of energy. Now, the particles, neutrons, protons and electrons, began to arrange themselves in different ways and eventually creating galaxies and stars. Due to the unevenness of the universe, large groups of helium and hydrogen clumped together. Because of gravity, some of them began to collapse under each other. As they collapsed, pressure increased and their cores began to heat up. Regions with these characteristics, including very high density and high temperature, were the birthplace to stars. Section II Hubble constant & redshift Evidence is needed to back up the Big Bang Theory’s interpretation of the age of the universe. One of the most compelling such techniques scientists use as measurement for age are the redshifts of distant galaxies that are aided by the Doppler Effect. This means that if a galaxy is moving away, the spectral lines of that galaxy will have a shift to the red end. The quicker it is moving away, the redder the shift. If the planet were moving towards us, the planet would have a blue line shift. Scientist have demonstrated that if galaxies are currently moving apart, they must of have been virtually on top of each other, condensed into a small window, at some point an extremely long time past. Therefore, at the pint of the Big Bang, the universe must have been much smaller, infinitesimally small. Fig. 1 demonstrates the redshift calculations. Fig. 1 Redshift2 The redshift was first discovered by Edwin Hubble in 1929 after discovering that since light coming away from most galaxies was redshifted the universe must have come from this incredibly small center.3 While at the time Hubble’s theory was revolutionary it gradually became accepted practice, and with its continued acceptance scientists began applying in working backwards to calculate the age of the universe. As further calculations were advanced based on redshift information, astronomers accepted that the universe was created between 12-20 billion years ago.4 Clearly, this is a general outlook on the redshift calculations. Examining how this figure was determined involves consider the Hubble constant in mathematical calculations. The Hubble constant simply refers to the law that the distance away an object is from the Earth can be understood as a proportion of its velocity. As a mathematical equation it is understood in terms of, “v = H0D, with H0 the constant of proportionality (the Hubble constant) between the distance D to a galaxy and its velocity v.”5 In applying the Hubble constant to determine the age of the universe astronomers make the assumption that the rate at which planets expanded from the Big Bang has remained stable since the beginning of time. The calculation is set so that rather than having velocity equal V as in the Hubble equation; d/t is implemented as a general representation of average speed. This is seen in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 Distance as proportion of time6 The astronomer or physicist then chooses two galaxies that are a distance apart and represents them with d and t represents the time taken to travel that distance between them. Solving this portion of the equation then results in: Fig. 3 Distance between two galaxies7 It’s then necessary to make sure both numbers are expressed in the same units, and to substitute the Hubble constant into the equation. It follows that the subsequent equation demonstrates that the age of the universe, t, is a reciprocal of the Hubble constant. This is demonstrated below. Fig. 4 Age of the universe as reciprocal of Hubble constant8 Depending on various factors that are considered when solving the equation, the result is demonstrated to be either 15 billion years, or 12 billion years. The major area of debate in this regard concerns whether the rate of expansion is constant or changing. In this regard, it seems most scientists agree that the rate of expansion has altered since the beginning of time, so that the 15 billion year mark for the age of the universe is a high figure.9 The farthest such redshift measured is a quasar from with a 6.41 redshift, indicating that it has a look-back 96% the age of the universe.10 Section III Support for redshift theory of the age of the universe While the Hubble constant allows scientists to measure the redshift of planets and galaxies to determine a close approximation of the age of the universe, it’s necessary to consider outside elements that contribute to an understanding of the Big Theory as it is through this theory that the Hubble constant theory is founded. One of the most important supporting elements is that of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Due to the violent explosion of the Big Bang, radiation from the explosion would have directed the universe in all directions. Because of this explosion it was estimated that there would be a significant amount of radiation from this initial explosion. Amo Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered ultimately discovered this radiation, deeming in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). While the energy and heat produced in the Big Bang was extremely dense and immeasurably heated, because of the expansion of the universe, the scientists discovered the radiation were only at 3K5. As one might surmise, as the radiated gas spreads the density lowers and has these corresponding effects. Figure 5 includes a technical demonstration of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Fig. 5 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation11 As Figure 5 demonstrates, in examining the relation of the heat of the cosmic microwave background radiation, scientists are able to develop a connection between the CMB and the age of the universe, further aiding calculations. Indeed, one of the most important calculations scientists use when calculating the age of the universe is taken from measuring one of the peaks of the cosmic microwave background radiation.12 The cosmic microwave background radiation is also important in that the interrelation of time, heat, and cosmic elements can be examined to determine when certain elements of the universe were created. Indeed, the substances in the universe at present can also aid in adding a more thorough understanding of the age of the universe. As of 3 minutes, there were 2 neutrons and 14 protons for every 16 nucleons. Due to the extremity of the heat, only one proton and one neutron could remain together, creating Deuterium or a heavy hydrogen. Due to the high-energy photon, they were joined with pairs of neutrons and protons, to create helium.13 For every 16 nucleons, four went into helium, 25%. Hence, the rest became protons and became Hydrogen as the universe expanded and cooled off, 75%. These figures are very close to today’s figures of hydrogen (71%) and Helium (28%).14 Section IV Telescope and Future Technology Technology has been a leading factor in the resent findings of the age of the universe. The proof to this is that 200 years ago astronomers could not tell whether the age of the universe was 20 million or 20 billion years old. Technology has come a far way since the 1900’s and continues to increase rapidly. What we do not know today we will know tomorrow, our knowledge of the universe and what it consists of could not have been established without technology. Consider seminal astronomer John Eddy who, in reference to the effects potential technology could have on future predictions of the age of the universe, stated, “with ‘frantic theoretical readjustment’ if new evidence showed that astronomers have been wrong, they could live with Bishop Usshers date of 4,004 B.C.”15 Currently, NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotrophy Probe (WMAP) has greatly determined and influenced the data that has gone into calculating the age of the universe, and indeed a the current understanding of cosmology. Similarly, the Hubble Space Telescope has greatly influenced astronomers’ understanding of the universe. It follows that the Planck satellite, which recently was launched to augment the findings of the WMAP and is scheduled to release new data in 2012, could greatly further astronomers’ understanding of the age of the universe.16 Conclusion In conclusion, the universe started out as a blob. We do not know what there was before hand, but something hot and dense appeared. With all the materials present, slowly, the universe began to develop. Due to physics and science being present, the young universe began to expand, and still is. The ‘Big Bang’ can be said to be a theory without falsification. It follows that in examining the expansion of the universe since the Big Bang astronomers are able to reach an approximation of the age of the universe. In doing so, astronomers rely on the Hubble constant and the knowledge of the redshift in the light spectrum to make calculations. Similarly, the WMAP satellite is utilized in conjunction with the cosmic microwave background radiation to make further calculations. Ultimately, with further advances in technology, perhaps even the recent Planck satellite, the age may be further refined and altered. References (2007). The Observable Universe and Beyond. Available: http://universe-review.ca/F02- cosmicbg.htm. Last accessed 2010. Covey, Jon. (2008). Age of the Universe. Available: http://ldolphin.org/univ-age.html. Last accessed 2010 John Eddy in R.G. Kazmann, (1978), "Its About Time: 4.5 Billion Years," (report on Symposium at Louisiana State University), Geotimes, 23:18. Koupelis, Theo (2010). In Quest of the Universe. 6th ed. New York: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 510-535. NASA. (2010). Planck: Exploring the Birth of our Universe. Available: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/planck/overview.html. Last accessed 2010. NASA. (2010). Tests of the Big Bang: CMB. Available: http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/bb_tests_cmb.html. Last accessed 2010. Singh, Simon. (2005) Big Bang: Origin of the Universe. New York: Harper Perennial. Spergel, D. N.; et al. (2003). "First-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Determination of Cosmological Parameters". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 148: 175–194. Read More