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Origins and Science |
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Origins and Science |
The following items are consider some of the key measurements, observations, and theories that have bearing on the origin of the universe. The discussion and references present in this section reflect our current understanding of these items with regard to the currently accepted scientific model of the universe's origin.
General and special relativity is based on the physical property that the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all inertial observers. All observers traveling at constant velocity will measure the same value for the speed of light. This is contrary to intuition because you expect the light coming from a moving source to travel faster than the light coming from a stationary source. However, the Michelson-Morley experiment provided convincing evidence that the speed of light is constant. Einstein used this observation along with mathematical corrections present in electromagnetic theory to derive the special theory of relativity.
Implications of this theory is that the passage of time and the apparent size of objects changes depending on the speed at which an individual is traveling. Paradoxes present in the theory of special relativity motivated Einstein to formulate a more encompassing theory called the General Theory of relativity.
The physical interpretation of the general theory is that the force of gravity is actually the result of curvature in the fabric of space/time. Space and time are not separate quantities, but are related to each other through the speed of light. Objects experiencing gravitational fields, which is just an acceleration, will likewise experience a change on how time passes.
A number of physical measurements have been performed to verify the validity of relativity theory. This theory is consistent with current observations and must be used when explaining phenomena on the cosmological scale.Further discussion and implications to the Theory of Relativity are contained in the following links.
Physical and Epistemological Foundations of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity -- A Critique and Alternative View by Ilan Kroo
General Relativity work done at the University of Chicago
Relationship between General Relativity and Differential Geometry
Course Notes on General Relativity and Gravity
Observational Verifications of General Relativity by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR GENERAL RELATIVITY By Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
Rethinking Relativity by Tom Bethell
EINSTEIN'S THEORY OF RELATIVITY A BRIEF ANALYSIS By O.Tedenstig
Gravitational Time-Dilation Robert A. Herrmann
The Speed of Light - A Limit on Principle? A physicist's view on an old controversy Last modification 3rd February '98 by Laro Schatzer
The Special Theory of Relativity and Theories of Divine Eternity William Lane Craig
REBUTTAL OF NORTH AND NIETO Martin Selbrede
Discovery of the cosmic microwave background was made by Penzias and Wilson at Bell Laboratories. This discovery verified a prediction of Big Bang Cosmology made by George Gamov and others. The measured cosmic background radiation indicates that the background temperature of the universe is 2.738 K. (2.728 degrees above absolute zero.) Various experiments have been performed to measure the characteristics of the cosmic background radiation. This radiation is well characterized as a uniform blackbody radiation with spatial temperature fluctuations that are 100,000 times smaller than the blackbody temperature.Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) - The purpose of this probe is to measure the intensity of diffuse infrared and microwave radiation for the full sky. These measurements are used to set limits on the astrophysical environment of the early universe. This satellite consists of three sensors.
Sensors on COBE (Data products for each of these sensors is available through the web site given above.)Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) - This sensor measured radiation in the infrared spectrum ranging from 1.25 to 240 microns. The primary aim of this sensor is to characterize the isotropic Cosmic Infrared Background and measure its energy distribution.Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) - The purpose of this probe will measure the temperature differences in the microwave background radiation. Measurements from this instrument will be used to study the cosmological constants related to the early universe.
Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) - This sensor measured the fluctuations in brightness of the cosmic microwave background at three different frequencies (31.5, 53, and 90 GHz). The aim of this sensor is to observe fluctuations which are related to fluctuations in the early universe.
Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS) - This sensor measured radiation with wavelength between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. The primary aim of this sensor is to compare the cosmic microwave background to an accurate blackbody and to look at line emission from the Galaxy.Further discussion and implications to the Microwave Background Radiation are contained in the following links.
BUMPS IN THE BIG BANG by Russell Humphreys, Ph.D.
Questions related to the Microwave Background:
How well measured is the microwave background radiation? How well does it fit a blackbody radiator? How uniform is the background radiation? Are the differences in the background radiation real? Evaluation of the Microwave Background observations:
- The microwave background is measured to an accuracy of 0.005%.
- The intensity curve of the cosmic background radiation matches that of a blackbody radiator to within 1%.
Dark Matter Evidences
An Accelerating Universe, or Light Slowing Down?
A Time Varying Speed of Light as a Solution to Cosmological Puzzles by Andreas Albrecht and Joao Magueijo
Is nothing sacred? This article appeared in the New Scientist and addresses cosmological problems related to the speed of light
Einstein's "Mistake" is Revived 30 July 1999
The Hubble Variable
Debunking Gentry's New Redshift Interpretation Cosmology
Red Shift Riddles
On the Quantization of the Red-Shifted Light from Distant Galaxies by Mark Stewart
The Genuine Cosmic Rosetta, by Robert V. Gentry and David W. Gentry, (pdf)
A New Redshift Interpretation, by Robert V. Gentry (pdf)
Atomic Behavior, Light, and the Red-Shift Abstract and Summary by Barry Setterfield June 9, 1995
The Hot Big Bang
The Big Bang Theory Collapses by Duane T. Gish, Ph.D.
Is The Big Bang Biblical? by John D. Morris, Ph.D.
Has the Big Bang Been Saved? by John D. Morris, Ph.D.
Creation and Big Bang Cosmology William Lane Craig
GOD AND THE BIG BANG - AND OTHER ARGUMENTS ABOUT SCIENCE AND FAITH by Mike Poole
Science and the Nature of God: Inferring the Divine Attributes from the Status of Big Bang Cosmology by Michael A. Corey
Big Bang Gets New Adjectives-Open and Hot by Hugh Ross
Stephen Hawking, The Big Bang, and God Meet the Author: Dr. Henry "Fritz" Schaefer III
Stephen Hawking, the Big Bang, and God Part II By Dr. Fritz Schaefer III
A Brief Look at A Brief History of Time by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
RECENT HISTORY OF COSMOLOGICAL THEORIES - 1
RECENT HISTORY OF COSMOLOGICAL THEORIES - 2
THE ALLEGED EVOLUTIONARY ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE AND LIFE
The Big Bang Theory . By Professor Nathan Aviezer
The Origin of the Universe Rich Milne
The Origin of the Universe Rich Milne
Big Bang Cosmology Primer
The Big Bang is Wrong
The Symmetric Theory of the Universe's Origin
Expanding Universe Model
Microwave Background from BB
Cosmic Strings and the BB
Inflation Considerations
The inflationary big bang theory is, by far, the most accepted theory of the origin of the universe.
Cosmology's Holy Grail Henry M. Morris
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Continued Conclusion
THE PLASMA UNIVERSE by Don DeYoung
Quantum Vacuum Fluctuations: A New Rosetta Stone of Physics? Dr. H. E. Puthoff
Quantum foam
MASSIVE SUPERSTRINGS AND THE FIRMAMENT Gerardus D. Bouw, Ph.D.
EVOLUTION EX NIHILO By Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
A Review of Dr. Russ Humphreys A Young-Earth Relativistic Cosmology
A young-earth relativistic cosmology by D. Russell Humphreys
The Unravelling of Starlight and Time By Samuel R. Conner and Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
The Present Invalid Nature of Humphreys' White Hole Cosmology Robert A. Herrmann
Russell Humphreys answers Thompson, Schimmrich, et al. (a response by Humphreys to the inept, less-than-honest scholarship, of "certain" anti-creationists who rely on errors to "discredit" his work) © 1998 D. Russell Humphreys
Russell Humphreys challenges Hugh Ross (a response by Humphreys to some (more) questionable claims made by Hugh Ross in his newsletter) © 1998 D. Russell Humphreys
Robert Herrmann's NSP World The D-World, MA Model, and U-Cosmology
A U-Cosmology Author: Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
A U-Cosmology Author: Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
A U-Cosmology Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
Simplifying the Technical Aspects of the G, D-world, MA-models and U-cosmology Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
The Energetic Vacuum: Implications For Energy Research by H.E. Puthoff, PhD
Everything For Nothing by Harold Putoff, PhD
THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 1
THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 2
THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 3
SCIENTISTS SPEAK ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 1
SCIENTISTS SPEAK ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 2
SCIENTISTS SPEAK ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 3
SCIENTISTS SPEAK ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MATTER - 4
In the Beginning, Hydrogen Henry M. Morris, Ph.D
REBUTTAL OF NORTH AND NIETO Martin Selbrede
WHY GEOCENTRICITY? by Gerardus D. Bouw, Ph.D.
Design Evidences Evidence for Design of the Cosmos by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
Strong evidence for a designer comes from the fine-tuning of the universal constants and the solar system, e.g.
Eminent scientists driven to ask why natural qualities were so `carefully chosen' and `precisely adjusted' to make the universe and life possible
Evidence for Design of the Cosmos by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
Is the Universe "fine tuned" to make life possible?
Science and the Nature of God: Inferring the Divine Attributes from the Status of Big Bang Cosmology by Michael A. Corey
Evidence for the Fine Tuning of the Universe
Quotes from Scientists Regarding Design of the Universe
THE ELEMENTAL FORCES OF THE UNIVERSE
Cosmos and Creator William Lane Craig
Cosmology Confronts the Creator Hugh Ross
The Existence of God and the Beginning of the Universe William Lane Craig
The Caused Beginning of the Universe: A Response to Quentin Smith William Lane Craig
God and the Initial Cosmological Singularity: A Reply to Quentin Smith William Lane Craig
The Origin And Creation Of The Universe: A Response to Adolf Grünbaum William Lane Craig
A Response to Grünbaum on Creation and Big Bang Cosmology William Lane Craig
Prof. Grünbaum on Creation William Lane Craig
The Caused Beginning of the Universe: A Response to Quentin Smith William Lane Craig
Creation ex nihilo - Without God (1997) Mark I. Vuletic
Hierarchical causes in the cosmological argument
How Was Our Universe Created? Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
How Was Our Universe Created? Robert A. Herrmann Ph. D.
The Catholic Encyclopedia - Cosmology
Space and Time in the Genesis Cosmogony Meredith G. Kline
Space and Time in the Genesis Cosmogony Meredith G. Kline
Hugh Ross and Duane Gish Debate the Age of the Earth and the Universe
Gish/Ross Debate
How Old Do Evolutionists Say the Universe Is?
The Universe Is Not "Billions" of Years Old
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCES FOR THE UNIVERSE’S AGE
THE AGE OF THE UNIVERSE
The Age of the Earth and the Universe
SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS HAVING TO DO WITH TIME by Harold S. Slusher
Since We See Galaxies Billions of Light-Years Away, Isn't the Universe Billions of Years Old?
The Age of the Universe. By Dr. Gerald Schroeder
Is the Universe Young?
Age of the Universe By Jon Covey
Is the Universe Showing Its Age? By Jon Covey
Astronomy and Astrophysics on the Web
Introduction to Astrophysics
Astronomy/Astrophysics on the Internet
Astronomy & astrophysics preprints & abstracts
Useful Links from the University of Chicago's Astronomy and Astrophysics Department
Links for Astronomy Education and Outreach at the University of Chicago's Astronomy and Astrophysics Department
Interventionist Cosmology - This article is part of the Origins Trail and discusses an interventionist cosmology. It also includes links to other cosmology web links.
The Coming Big Bang by Henry M. Morris
The Stardust Trail by Henry M. Morris
All Spaced Out by Henry M. Morris
THE STARS OF HEAVEN by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.
Editor's Column - Cosmology
Cosmology by Chris Lawton
Biblical Forecasts of Scientific Discoveries by Dr. Hugh Ross
The Extradimensional Nature of God
A CRITIQUE OF SAGAN'S TV SERIES AND BOOK "COSMOS" Dr. Robert C. Newman
A PHYSICIST'S VIEW OF CREATION
Evolutionary Cosmology
Interventionist Cosmology
RADIOACTIVE HALOS IN A RADIOCHRONOLOGICAL AND COSMOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Robert V. Gentry
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRMAMENT by Gerardus D. Bouw, Ph.D.