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Author Topic:   What is the universe expanding into?
NosyNed
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Posts: 8996
From: Canada
Joined: 04-04-2003


Message 7 of 12 (112366)
06-02-2004 10:26 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Melchior
06-02-2004 8:01 AM


Dark Matter
Dark matter is just a name given to whatever causes the unexplained addtional gravity that is detected by the dynamics of galaxies. Various ideas have been put forward to explain it. Some of these consider it to be simply ordinary matter that is not radiating in anyway that is detectable. Others suggest more exotic forms of matter. For the former it is true that the only difference is the way it "interacts with us visibly.
I don't think this is settled or anywhere near being settled.

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 Message 3 by Melchior, posted 06-02-2004 8:01 AM Melchior has not replied

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NosyNed
Member
Posts: 8996
From: Canada
Joined: 04-04-2003


Message 12 of 12 (112679)
06-03-2004 5:53 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Jerry
06-03-2004 3:19 PM


Branes
Brane theory sure sounds that way. It seems like their setting around making up things that are so far out that they could never be proved so they will be accepted as a viable theory.
I agree with you it sounds that way.
I once had a math-physics prof who liked to do cosmology "on the side". He said it was fun because no one could prove anything .
However, brane theory is a good example of how progress is made on the bleeding edge of science. Many crazy ideas are made up over coffee or beer (I've sat back and watched some of that happen). Most of them don't make it out of the coffee room. Someone points out a serious flaw in the first few minutes.
But some make it a bit further. Some real math is done and it sort of hangs together. It may then be enough for a speculative paper or two. Branes are not elevated to the status of a viable theory yet. I don't think they are much above the speculation level (but I could be wrong since I can't handle the math). Already though the next stage is being entered.
Now it is necessary to see if there is any way to test the idea. Can it be falsified? Does it predict anything new that can be tested? Is there any possible experiment?
If none of those is try it will end up as an interesting side branch waiting, perhaps, for an advance in technology. If it has a lot of interesting conseqences from the math it may continue to get some attention though. For example, if it can "predict" the relative strength of gravity accurately in some way, it will get much more attention.
I'm not an expert but I think that the idea of branes will get some attention for awhile but will slow right down if no tests or interesting math comes out of it. It is definitely not anything like a full blown, formal, tested theory.
This message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-03-2004 04:53 PM
This message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-03-2004 04:55 PM

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