Redshift Time and the Start of the Solar System

In summary, Einstein's theory of relativity suggests that the expansion of the universe may be causing a change in time rather than space, which could explain the phenomenon of redshift. There is uncertainty about the exact starting point of the universal expansion, but it is estimated to have started around 13.7 billion years ago. The solar system, on the other hand, is believed to have formed 4.568 billion years ago from a giant molecular cloud. The accuracy of this estimate is based on the oldest material found in the solar system, which is thought to have formed around the same time as the solar system. Scientists have been using lead-lead dating to determine the age of this material and have found that the estimates have remained consistent over
  • #1
John15
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Einstein tells us time and space are linked, could redshift be caused by a change in time rather than space?
Including uncertainties how close is the start of this period of universal expansion to the start of the solar system? Could the 2 coincide?
 
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  • #2
The Solar System formed from the gravitational collapse of a giant molecular cloud 4.568 billion years ago.[112] This initial cloud was likely several light-years across and probably birthed several stars.[113]
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Above from Wikipedia. Big bang was about 13.7 billion years ago.

I can't comment on your first question.
 
  • #3
Not talking about BB expansion. Apparently expansion of universe was slowing down from BB then started accelerating again it is this point I was asking about.
How can we be so accurate about beginning of solar system.
Can anyone help with time and redshift, slowing of time I think should have same effect as expansion of space.
 
  • #4
John15 said:
How can we be so accurate about beginning of solar system.

That's an interesting question! The 4568.2 million year figure comes from here:
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v3/n9/full/ngeo941.html

It is NOT presented as "the age of the solar system".

To be precise, it is presented as the lead isotope age of the oldest material we have found in the solar system so far.

Two points are to be made about this.
1. Because the material was found in a primitive type of meteorite that is thought to be among the very earliest solid stuff that would have collected out of a star-forming cloud of gas and dust, it's reasonable to THINK of the solar system starting to gather about the same time that meteoritic material formed. So call the solar system ROUGHLY 4.6 BILLION years old. (But no reason to put all those decimal places on the number, 4.6 is fine.)

2. They've used "lead-lead dating" since the 40s or 50s---for over 50 years, and checked it various ways. And the estimates for oldest known material have barely changed for a long time. This particular 4.568 billion is only around 1/3 of a million years older than what they had before. It is ahead "by a nose" in the competition to find the oldest material in the solar system. When estimates over many years tend to CONVERGE like that it's reasonable to guess that we needn't expect any big surprises. They aren't likely to ever find a meteorite with material much older than that in it.

Anyway it is very interesting how they date this material using two isotopes of lead
Pb-207 and Pb-206. Definitely something to find out about. If you ever want to date a really mature meteorite.:biggrin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead-lead_dating
 
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  • #5


I can provide a response to the content regarding redshift time and the start of the solar system. First, it is important to understand that redshift is a phenomenon that occurs when light from distant objects appears to shift towards longer, redder wavelengths. This is often used as evidence for the expansion of the universe.

While Einstein's theory of relativity does state that time and space are linked, redshift is primarily caused by the expansion of space itself. This is because as the universe expands, the wavelengths of light traveling through it also stretch, causing a shift towards longer wavelengths.

Regarding the start of the period of universal expansion and the start of the solar system, there is still much uncertainty and ongoing research in this area. However, current evidence suggests that the expansion of the universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago, while the solar system is estimated to have formed around 4.6 billion years ago. This means that the start of the universal expansion is significantly earlier than the start of the solar system.

It is possible that the two events could have coincided, but it is unlikely. The formation of the solar system is thought to have been triggered by the collapse of a molecular cloud, while the expansion of the universe is believed to have been caused by the Big Bang. These are two separate and distinct events, and it is unlikely that they occurred simultaneously.

In conclusion, while time and space are linked, redshift is primarily caused by the expansion of space. The start of the universal expansion is estimated to be much earlier than the start of the solar system, and it is unlikely that the two events coincided. However, further research and observations may provide more insight into the exact timing and relationship between these two events.
 

Related to Redshift Time and the Start of the Solar System

1. What is redshift time?

Redshift time refers to the period of time in which light from distant objects, such as galaxies, has shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum due to the expansion of the universe. This shift in wavelength can provide valuable information about the age and distance of these objects.

2. How does redshift time relate to the start of the solar system?

Redshift time plays a key role in understanding the formation of the solar system. By studying the redshift of light from stars and galaxies, scientists can determine the age of the universe and how long ago the solar system began to form. This information is crucial in understanding the timeline of events that led to the formation of our solar system.

3. What is the significance of redshift time in cosmology?

In cosmology, redshift time is important in measuring the expansion rate of the universe and in determining the age of the universe. It is also used to study the large-scale structure of the universe and to understand the evolution of galaxies and other celestial objects.

4. How is redshift time measured?

Redshift time is measured by studying the spectrum of light emitted from objects in space. This spectrum is then compared to the known spectrum of elements on Earth, and any shift towards longer, redder wavelengths indicates a redshift. The degree of redshift can then be used to calculate the object's distance and age.

5. Can redshift time be used to study the solar system itself?

While redshift time is primarily used to study distant objects in the universe, it can also provide some insights into the solar system. By studying the redshift of light from comets, asteroids, and other objects within our solar system, scientists can gather information about their composition and origins. However, redshift time is not as useful for studying objects within our own solar system compared to those in the distant universe.

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