Is the expansion of the universe accelerating or decelerating? How do we know?
1 Answer
The rate of the expansion of the universe is accelerating
Explanation:
Studies of supernovas in the 1997 and 1998 showed that the rate of the expansion of the universe is increasing. The supernova serves as a standard candle of luminosity. The redshift of the standard candle can be compared with the distance of the supernova in light years. The degree of red shift indicates the velocity of movement away from the observer. The supernova studies provided empirical evidence that the rate of expansion of the universe is increasing
These empirical studies started with the assumption that the rate of the expansion of the universe should be slowing down. This hypothesis was based on the theory of the oscillating universe and the belief that the matter and energy were eternal and self existent.
The observations disproved the initial hypothesis was wrong the universe was not slowing down but instead was speeding up.
The empirical studies of the supernovas indicates that the universe is not eternal nor self existent. These studies call into question the belief that material realism is a valid worldview.
