Groups > A Bit 'o Science

Not directed at anyone, just hung off teh last post because it's convenient:

Can we try to keep this discussion group reasonably civil, please?

I know, I'm a terrible person to ask for it but I'd really like to try.

carlucci,

He's right that there seem to be some zeros missing on the time frame.

Work with me for a moment if you will while I try to see what we're talking about.

I think we're talking about Hubble and his discovery the universe is expanding. Eventually, that will lead to no visible stars. They'll still be there, we just won't be able to see them.

Long before that happens, our star, the sun will have gone through the stages red giant - which will devour earth - white dwarf, and eventually die out becoming a cold rock.

Sometime well after that, the universe itself will gasp it's last breath and die of entropy. Sometimes called the heat death of the universe, it's hen all the energy is evenly distributed throughout the ever expanding space.

Isaac Asimov gave a nice description of the long run in a story called "The Last Question." There's a copy here: http://www.swiftgear.com/last_question(long).html

Is that what you were referring to?

If any of my comments were among those that seemed to lack civility ... I apologize. I'm sorry, folks. If my comments were not among those, then I'm relieved. I certainly enjoy the active discussions here.

On behalf of TeeBeeDee..."Woohoo!" Let's hear it for Jon Deisher, a voice of reason in the wilderness. (Big points to Fromz also for aiding and abetting civilized discussion.)

You guys have made my day.

Cheers,

Kat Brennan (akabukowski)

TeeBeeDee Community Guide

when making a stement like that im sure hubble had some basis. i personally dont see it as possible as new galaxies are born everyday and the universe expanding exponentially

Statement like what?