[hopespringseternal]

Please explain this to me. If we can detect the early Universe (micro-wave background thermal radiation) from 14 billion years ago, why is it impossible to also detect an edge which is only 1 billion years in distance?

Because light hasn't had a chance to traverse that billion years yet. If the universe is fourteen billion years across and 13 billion years old, the edge is unobservable.

[Hunble]

Because light hasn't had a chance to traverse that billion years yet. If the universe is fourteen billion years across and 13 billion years old, the edge is unobservable

Light has been able to reach the Earth from 13 billion years ago, but it is impossible for light which is only 1 billion year away from us, to be totally invisible?

Even I am rather amazed by that statement. Is light (electro-magnetic energy) directional?

[RightWhale]

Don't forget the famous inflation hypothesis. That throws the everyday observation experience for a loop. It's not anything we are familiar with from daily life.