Expanding universe & relativity

[Denton]

As we know we see the universe at points in its infancy when the universe was born however for us to be here to see the light we must have either 1) Gone faster than the speed of light and 2) always existed here somehow.

Is there a general consensus that space actually expanded faster than the speed of light or is this so far still just theory? And how does this hold with relativity. (I see that space expanding > c while the particles themselves are < c would hold true)

 

[Fredrik]

Yes, there is a general consensus. There's nothing controversial about it. See e.g. this recent thread about it. (It's the thread where I finally understood how this works). If you look in the astronomy and cosmology forums you'll find lots of other threads about it.

I don't follow your logic in the first paragraph. We have definitely not been here forever, and we haven't "gone" faster than the speed of light. The distance between two galaxies can increase faster than the speed of light without the galaxies moving at all.

I also have to add that physicists never use the phrase "just a theory" except as a joke.

 

[Entropia]

The idea of an expanding universe and relativity is a complex and ongoing topic of discussion in the scientific community. While there is evidence to support the theory of an expanding universe, the exact mechanisms and implications are still being studied and debated.

One aspect of this theory is the idea that the universe is expanding faster than the speed of light. This can be a difficult concept to grasp, as the speed of light is often seen as a fundamental limit in the universe. However, it is important to note that the speed of light is a limit for objects within space, not for the expansion of space itself.

In other words, while objects within the universe may be limited to speeds less than the speed of light, the fabric of space itself can expand at any speed. This is consistent with the principles of relativity, as the expansion of space is not limited by the laws of physics within space.

As for the question of whether this is still just a theory or if there is a general consensus, it is important to understand that science is an ever-evolving field. Theories are constantly being tested and refined, and our understanding of the universe is constantly expanding.

There is a wealth of evidence and observations that support the theory of an expanding universe, but there are also ongoing studies and debates about its exact mechanisms and implications. So while there may not be a definitive consensus at this time, the evidence and research suggest that the idea of an expanding universe is a valid and important concept in our understanding of the universe.