Transcript Olbers* Paradox - Appalachian State University

OLBERS’ PARADOX
Sam Migirditch
([email protected])
Angie Blatchley
([email protected])
Summer Bridge 2013
Appalachian State University
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WHAT IS THE PARADOX?
• Every line of sight should
end on a star if the universe
is infinitely large.
• The sky should be bright and
getting brighter.
• This suggests the universe is
not static.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Olber%27s_Paradox_
-_All_Points.gif
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EARLY THEORIES
• Johannes Kepler – 1610,
proposed problem and believed
stars extended only a finite
distance
• Heinrich Olbers – 1823, proposed
that intervening matter
absorbed the light from the stars
• Edgar Allen Poe – 1848,
published a scientific paper
suggesting the solution of the
universe not old enough for all
the light to reach Earth
Earth:http://misterjogja.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cartoon-earththe-bubblebath-queen--earth-day-a-couple-days-late-kx6ydqxb.jpg
Star:http://www.stpaulsratoath.ie/images/star-clipart.jpeg.gif?974
Cloud: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cartoon_Cloud1.svg
X:http://www.clker.com/cliparts/0/7/e/a/12074327311562940906milker_X_icon.svg.me
d.png
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DARK ENERGY AND REDSHIFT
• Dark energy is poorly understood
but observed by experiments.
• It is a repulsive force over
extremely large distances .
• Repulsion increases over
distance so objects accelerate
away from each other causing
redshift.
• Redshift preserves the speed of
light and energy by changing
the wavelength of light relative
to the observer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Redshift_bl
ueshift.svg/800px-Redshift_blueshift.svg.png
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Explanation
Verdict
Too much dust to see distant stars
The dust would absorb the heat/light
and eventually radiate it.
The universe has only a finite number
of stars.
Inconclusive
Distribution of stars is not uniform –
some stars are hidden behind other
stars
The probability of an infinite amount of
stars being lined up perfectly is
infinitely unlikely.
The universe is expanding so distant
stars are redshifted out of visible
spectrum.
Correct
The speed of light is finite and the
universe has a finite age so we only
see the light less than 15 billion light
years away.
Partially correct
COSMIC MICROWAVE
BACKGROUND RADIATION
IMAGE FROM WMAP
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Works Cited
• "Geometry/Dynamics of the Universe." Geometry/Dynamics
of the Universe. Univ. of Oregon, n.d. Web. 21 July 2013.
• Harrison, Edward Robert. Darkness at Night: A Riddle of the
Universe. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1987. Print.
• Hawking, Stephen. The Illustrated A Brief History of Time. New
York: Bantam, 1996. Print.
• Kenyon, Scott J., and Rogier A. Windhorst. The Kuiper Belt
and Olbers’ Paradox. Diss. Arizona State Univ., 2000. N.p.:
American Astronomical Society, 2001. The Astrophysical
Journal. The American Astronomical Society, 20 Jan. 2001.
Web. 21 July 2013.
• "Olbers’ Paradox: Why Is the Night Sky Dark?" Olbers’
Paradox. Cornell University, n.d. Web. 21 July 2013.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• We would like to extend thanks to:
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Dr. Rahman Tashakkori
National Science Foundation
Professor David Sitar
Dr. Jennifer Burris
Dr. Trina Palmer
Professor Nathan Weigl
Dr. Cindy Norris
Dr. Alexander Schwab
Zach Andrews
Kristen Vroom
Noah Hughes
Michael Kelly
Our peers who also participated in this program
Our family and friends