#TheoreticalPhysicist #StephenHawking had a #radiation theory named after him that dictated that all BlackHoles will eventually evaporate. This #theory extended to all large objects in the universe, like the remnants of stars, stating that they too will come to dissipate

https://interestingengineering.com/science/all-large-objects-will-evaporate

@apsmith

In the first three words, in the second sentence, you gave the, partially correct, answer.

"We cannot (yet?) know"

In scientific writing - we never make a statement of fact unless it's beyond a reasonable doubt (even then - scientists use suggestive language). Though we can start a sentence by stating that "the following is only speculation".

So, we could say, the "rocket" (the object) *may* go on indefinitely (in an infinitely expansive universe). However, X theory suggests that the rocket may go on until the universe retracts ("the big crunch").

I'd like to hear a #cosmologist #astrophysicist or #TheoreticalPhysicist consider the question *only* within the empirical evidence. For example, without speculation.

This is an interesting puzzle.

1) Observations suggest that the universe is expanding (and its rate of expansion is speeding up). https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/nasa-s-hubble-finds-universe-is-expanding-faster-than-expected/

2) However, the "big bang" suggests that the universe expanded "outwards" from a dense point (a singularity in space). I don't consider time as an ultimate measurement of space (frequency is not the same as the human perception of time. Frequency is timing)

"One of the goals has long been to decide whether the Universe will expand forever, or whether it will someday stop, turn around, and collapse in a "Big Crunch?" https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-powered-the-big-bang

Therefore, there is a contradiction in empirical evidence. Both theories, 1 & 2, are based on predicted, and later observed evidence (e.g., background radiation & galaxies moving apart).

We have a puzzle where all the pieces are not yet known.

Someone should write a book about it!

I'm too busy trying to educate people to not waste the precious time we have left to sustain ecology.

If we don't succeed at that - who gives a #### what the fundamentals of the universe are (nothing will matter)

This is a question for a #cosmologist #astrophysicist #TheoreticalPhysicist or anyone that has thought considerably about the *objective* (scientific background knowledge) nature of the universe.

A thought experiment. Imagine you get in a space rocket. Blast off, etc, etc - you are now traveling in space. Generally, the rocket is heading straight ahead (the direction is irreverent).

However, for this thought experiment to work - we have to go much faster than the speed of light (ignore whether or not - this is impossible or not - for the sake of the thought experiment). Also, let's assume that the rocket has an infinite supply of energy (e.g., solar sails, etc).

The question is - would that rocket keep going on & on for all eternity? Or not?

To reiterate, ignore the mechanical aspects of the rocket, etc. The point of the thought experiment is to consider an object that is perpetually moving at the speed of light, or faster, in a linear direction.

Fundamentally, to answer this, a person will need to understand the fundamental workings of the universe. However, people can speculate. Does the rocket ever reach a final destination? Does the universe?

Image NASA https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/webb-uncovers-young-stars-outbursts-in-carina-nebula

#science #space #nasa #ScienceMastodon #physics #cosmology #Astrophysics

To answer life’s biggest questions, says the #German #theoreticalphysicist and #YouTuber #SabineHossenfelder, we need to abandon #unscientific ideas such as the #multiverse

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/26/physicist-sabine-hossenfelder-there-are-quite-a-few-areas-where-physics-blurs-into-religion-multiverse

#physics #religion #quantummechanics #science

[New server, new #introduction, this time with hashtags!]

Hello! I'm a #TheoreticalPhysicist working in #Quantum #CondensedMatter #Physics, currently a #MarieSklodowskaCurie Fellow at FU Berlin. I'm interested in how #disorder affects quantum systems, and how we can use it to stabilise exotic phases of matter.

More info: http://www.steventhomson.co.uk

I also host the @insidequantum #podcast where I talk to the people behind the latest developments in #QuantumTechnology. Please check it out!