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Probing Question: What happened before the Big Bang?
Pennsylvania State University ^ | 03 August 2006 | Barbara Kennedy

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.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: bewareofluddites; bigbang; bloodbath; cosmology; fakeatheist; fascistfrannie; generalchat; genesisidolater; goddooditamen; idiotswithgrants; juniorstantrum; origins; phpap; prematurepanspermia; runningwolfspout; stringtheory
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To: CarolinaGuitarman
Touched a nerve I see. Your manners need improvement.

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)....

241 posted on 08/04/2006 6:09:30 PM PDT by longshadow (FReeper #405, entering his ninth year of ignoring nitwits, nutcases, and recycled newbies)
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To: sirchtruth
"It obviously PO's you evo's that my opinion can hold equal weight infront of the general public."

Since the general public is obsessed with Brittany and baby Suri, and not science, that's an empty boast.

What YOU can't stand is the fact that 99%+ biologists accept evolution (which, BTW, has absolutely nothing to do with the Big Bang, the subject of this thread) and reject your views.
242 posted on 08/04/2006 6:10:30 PM PDT by CarolinaGuitarman (Gas up your tanks!!)
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To: PatrickHenry
The Big Bang theory is just an immaculate conception...
243 posted on 08/04/2006 6:10:54 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: PatrickHenry
The Big Bang theory is just an immaculate conception... just like the theory evolution...
244 posted on 08/04/2006 6:12:13 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: PatrickHenry

"Festival of the Drunken, Rude, Thread-Trashing Trolls"


245 posted on 08/04/2006 6:14:10 PM PDT by longshadow (FReeper #405, entering his ninth year of ignoring nitwits, nutcases, and recycled newbies)
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To: Chances Are
Well, why did they call it the "Big Bang"?

Because it is an immaculate conception...

246 posted on 08/04/2006 6:14:21 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: CarolinaGuitarman
BTW were you around to witness the Resurrection?

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!)

247 posted on 08/04/2006 6:16:12 PM PDT by sirchtruth (No one has the RIGHT not to be offended...)
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To: Dimensio

The Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...

Better brush up on the history...


248 posted on 08/04/2006 6:16:16 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: Sir Francis Dashwood

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.


249 posted on 08/04/2006 6:16:22 PM PDT by Michael_Michaelangelo (The best theory is not ipso facto a good theory.)
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To: sirchtruth

The Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...


250 posted on 08/04/2006 6:16:52 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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Immaculate Conceptions Obsession Placemarker
251 posted on 08/04/2006 6:17:31 PM PDT by CarolinaGuitarman (Gas up your tanks!!)
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To: Michael_Michaelangelo
"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."

Considering the level of discourse coming from the creos, your comment has to win the *Ironic Statement of the Month* award.
252 posted on 08/04/2006 6:18:55 PM PDT by CarolinaGuitarman (Gas up your tanks!!)
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To: CarolinaGuitarman
Someone must have put out a bulletin on the psychic network hotline.
253 posted on 08/04/2006 6:20:40 PM PDT by PatrickHenry (Everything is blasphemy to somebody.)
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To: Michael_Michaelangelo
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.

I know...

Incredibly funny that the Big Bang theory is the immaculate conception of a Jesuit astronomer...

254 posted on 08/04/2006 6:20:47 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: sirchtruth
"I do not CLAIM the Resurrection as fact,"

You don't? How can you be a Christian if you don't believe the Resurrection was a fact? lol

"I claim I have faith that it indeed happened..."

I never asked where your belief came from, be it faith or science. It is obvious from the above you DO claim it as a fact.

Were you there? To paraphrase someone may recognize (I will clean up the vulgar insults):

What an arrogant (bleep) to think YOUR explanation is the END ALL explanation, especially when you were not around to witness an event (the resurrection).
255 posted on 08/04/2006 6:23:32 PM PDT by CarolinaGuitarman (Gas up your tanks!!)
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Thread headed downhill fast.

Time for dinner.

256 posted on 08/04/2006 6:24:32 PM PDT by Coyoteman (I love the sound of beta decay in the morning!)
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To: PatrickHenry
"Someone must have put out a bulletin on the psychic network hotline."

I think that's an insult to the psychic network hotline.
257 posted on 08/04/2006 6:24:53 PM PDT by CarolinaGuitarman (Gas up your tanks!!)
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To: PatrickHenry

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...


258 posted on 08/04/2006 6:25:33 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: CarolinaGuitarman
(which, BTW, has absolutely nothing to do with the Big Bang, the subject of this thread) and reject your views.

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?

259 posted on 08/04/2006 6:26:28 PM PDT by sirchtruth (No one has the RIGHT not to be offended...)
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To: Coyoteman
Thread headed downhill fast.

That is why it was posted...

The title asked the question, you didn't like the answers...

260 posted on 08/04/2006 6:28:41 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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