Posted on 08/04/2006 4:26:21 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
The question of what happened before the Big Bang long has frustrated cosmologists, both amateur and professional.
Though Einstein's theory of general relativity does an excellent job of describing the universe almost back to its beginning, near the Big Bang matter becomes so dense that relativity breaks down, says Penn State physicist Abhay Ashtekar. "Beyond that point, we need to apply quantum tools that were not available to Einstein."
Now Ashtekar and two of his post-doctoral researchers, Tomasz Pawlowski and Parmpreet Singh, have done just that. Using a theory called loop quantum gravity, they have developed a mathematical model that skates right up to the Big Bang -- and steps through it. On the other side, Ashtekar says, exists another universe with space-time geometry similar to our own, except that instead of expanding, it is shrinking. "In place of a classical Big Bang, there is in fact a quantum Bounce," he says.
Loop quantum gravity, one of the leading approaches to the unification of general relativity with quantum physics, was pioneered at the Institute of Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Penn State, which Ashtekar directs. The theory posits that space-time geometry itself has a discrete "atomic" structure, Ashtekar explains. Instead of the familiar space-time continuum, the fabric of space is made up of one-dimensional quantum threads. Near the Big Bang, this fabric is violently torn, and these quantum properties cause gravity to become repulsive, rather than attractive.
While the idea of another universe existing prior to the Big Bang has been proposed before, he adds, this is the first mathematical description that systematically establishes its existence and deduces its space-time geometry.
"Our initial work assumes a homogenous model of our universe," Ashtekar acknowledges. "However, it has given us confidence in the underlying ideas of loop quantum gravity. We will continue to refine the model to better portray the universe as we know it and to better understand the features of quantum gravity."
***
Abhay Ashtekar is holder of the Eberly family chair in physics and director of the Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry in the Eberly College of Science. He can be reached at ava1@psu.edu.
The finding reported above was published in Physical Review Letters in May 2006. The research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the Penn State Eberly College of Science.
Cut the poor guy a break! It's Friday night, and he's obviously doing his impression of Mel Gibson posting under the influence (PUI)....
"Festival of the Drunken, Rude, Thread-Trashing Trolls"
Because it is an immaculate conception...
Here's how STUPID and infintile your statement is: I do not CLAIM the Resurrection as fact, I claim I have faith that it indeed happened unlike your arrogant proclaimations that whatever science says MUST be more enlightened knowledge than anyone elses theory...
This cult of evolution actually has to do more with FAITH than any religion I've ever seen!
I don't claim to be SMARTER or more educated than everyone else, I'm entitled to go off the deep end every now and again. (Read tagline!)
The Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...
Better brush up on the history...
I see the "B-Team" of evo's has shown-up. Either the liquor is kicking-in, or they feel they are losing the debate. Either way, it's comical to watch.
The Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...
I know...
Incredibly funny that the Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...
Time for dinner.
Is your only purpose here to throw sh*t on the Christians and Jews???
Because if it is, as I see it to be the case, you will have an atheist like me throwing it at you...
LOL! Oh really? It has NOTHING to do with evo? Tell that to Darwin!!
Look, I was not trying to be a smartass when I said time/space is a dimension, Einstein proved it was...I really find the BB fascinating because obviously "Something" happened! NO one knows what happened really, that's the fact. All I wanted to really understand more is "Time/Space" and how it relates to the BB? And since it's all based on "BELIEF" then looks like were on equal ground, even ICHIE...
IMO, we have no idea what OUTSIDE of time/space is?
That is why it was posted...
The title asked the question, you didn't like the answers...
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