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We cannot know for sure, but we're sure that the universe expanded faster than the speed of light. While it is physically impossible for any object to move through space faster than the speed of light (according to Einstein's theory of relativity), it is possible for space itself to expand faster than the speed of light since it is not an object, but the area in which all objects and laws of physics are contained. In fact, space is still expanding faster than the speed of light.

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14y ago
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13y ago

The short answer is about 71 km/s/Mpc (kilometers per second per megaparsec).

The value that expresses this is the "Hubble Constant", first measured by Edwin Hubble when his studies of galaxies indicated that the Universe was expanding. His original figure was far too large, due to the incomplete state of relevant knowledge at the time, but modern understanding and measurement (including observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope, named after him), have narrowed it down.

The Universe is expanding because space is stretching. What this implies is that the more space there is between two galaxies, the faster the expansion of the Universe is carrying the galaxies apart. So the relevant question is: for a given distance between two points, how fast is space stretching between them?

The distance unit astronomers use on this scale is the megaparsec, or one million parsecs. A parsec is about 3.26 light-years (a light-year is a distance -- it's the distance light travels in a vacuum in one year).

So if there are two galaxies one megaparsec apart, how fast is space stretching between them? The best current measurements, from several sources, all give answers in the area of 71 kilometers per second, so we say that the current value of the Hubble Constant is about 71 km/s for every megaparsec of separation, or 71 km/s/Mpc.

Note that this is the value of the Hubble Constant today; due to the ongoing effect of something called "dark energy", the rate of expansion of the Universe is increasing. This means that the value of the Hubble Constant is not really constant, but is actually getting larger with time, albeit at a rate that is far too small to affect observations over human time scales.

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15y ago

The Universe is not expanding. The Universe is in equilibrium. The idea that the Universe is expanding results from a mis-interpretation of Hubble's redshift measures and the Biblical Creation Story. Einstein observed that the universe was not contracting under gravity and added a cosmological constant to "account" for the lack of contraction. This cosmological constant is an anti-gravity feature that adds expansion. mathematicians claimed that Einstein's Equations only allowed for expansion or contraction. When the redshift was discovered the deal was sealed. Hubble did not interpret the redshift as an expansion, he called it "an hither to unknown principle of nature". Hubble was correct and the current view of expansion is wrong. There is a herd mentality in physics like in Stock Market Bubbles. The Big Bang is a Bubble, there is no expansion.

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12y ago

So quickly that no matter how fast you went, you could never catch the edge of it.

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13y ago

a parsec distance which is 3.26 lightyears

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Liam Thomas

Lvl 2
4y ago

3 times past the bubble 4 IS ALL THE WAY 7 casts The ETERNITY AS SHADOWS LITE IN MAY

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Adam Faria

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4y ago

Which of the following would best support the theory that the universe is continuing to expand

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Liam Thomas

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4y ago

50 BILLION GOOPQUOPBARX

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Q: How much is the universe expanding each year?
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What year did the earth expand in the big bang theory?

It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.


What are the three predictions of your Universe?

Technological advancements will continue to accelerate, reshaping industries and the way we live. Climate change will have increasing impacts on the environment, leading to more extreme weather events. Artificial intelligence will become more integrated into everyday life, raising ethical and privacy concerns.


The big bang theory states that all matter was once?

Far denser -- almost infinitely more dense -- than it is today. It is a mistake to say that the BB claims that our entire Universe was once the size of a proton. That statement only applies to what is now the VISIBLE universe -- that small sub-set of our Universe that we can now see. While this 93 billion light year diameter ball is pretty large, it is impossible to determine how much more of our Universe is out there, beyond our present ability to see -- the total amount could be infinite. Thus, instead of saying our entire Universe was much SMALLER than it is today, it is more correct to say it was much DENSER.


How long would it take to travel from the end of the universe to Earth?

It is currently not possible to travel from the end of the universe to Earth, as the observable universe is estimated to be about 93 billion light-years in diameter. Even if it were possible to travel at the speed of light, it would take 93 billion years to reach Earth from the farthest edge of the observable universe.


In what direction is the universe moving?

Nearly all galaxies have a component of motion directly away from us. The farther a galaxy is from us today, the faster it appears to be receding from us.Nearly all galaxies are moving away from Earth. This is because the universe is expanding.

Related questions

What year did the earth expand in the big bang theory?

It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.It is the Universe that expanded, not specifically the Earth. Earth was formed much later than the Big Bang. The Universe continues expanding, though.


How fast is the Sahara desert expanding each year?

The Sahara is currently expanding south at a rate of up to 48 kilometers per year.


Which desert is currently expanding?

Through the process of desertification, the Sahara is growing rapidly each year.


How much money does Christie brinkley have?

Somewhere between 70-80 million dollars... she has three kids, each estimated to get around 45-60 million dollars as her networth is expanding greatly each year.


How much is generated each year?

How much what is generated each year


What are the three predictions of your Universe?

Technological advancements will continue to accelerate, reshaping industries and the way we live. Climate change will have increasing impacts on the environment, leading to more extreme weather events. Artificial intelligence will become more integrated into everyday life, raising ethical and privacy concerns.


What country is Miss Universe contest conducted?

Miss Universe is an American organization, but it is held somewhere different each year. Miss Universe 2014 was held in the USA.


Where can you watch Miss Universe Live Online?

Each year, Miss Universe will live stream the event on their website. The show can also be watched from your home live.


How manys stars die in a year?

In the Milky Way galaxy, around one star is born each year and around one star dies each year. Throughout the universe, around 100 billion stars are born and die each year.


How much money is spent on magazines each year?

How much money is spent on magazines each year?


How much do Australian parliamentarians get paid each year?

How much do Australian parliamentarians get paid each year?


How much money can be given each year?

alot about 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 each year