Greetings Dennis
[16-Mar-98 23:49:00] [Andrew Cummins to Dennis Menard]
[Subject: Re: Time and Again]
 DM>> Latest observations indicate expansion of the universe is
 DM>> `accelerating!' It is easy enough to check out; all major news
 DM>> sources carried the story.
 AC> What magic could explain such a claim as the universe is
 AC> accelerating its expansion?
Don't let Andy-Bob drag you into his "God done it in 6 days 10,000 years 
ago" scenario, Dennis.  He would need magic for _his_ myth...
There are different theories about "accelerated" in the expansion question.  
It may _appear_ as an acceleration because of increasing red shift the 
farther out we look.   Red shift or the Doppler effect measures the degree
of acceleration, but, it may be misleading.  Take two points, A and B.  If
A is moving away from B at a rate of X then the red shift will appear to 
be constant, however on cosmic scales if A is moving away from B at X _and_
the space between A and B is expanding at a rate of Y then the red shift is
compounded and increases or appears to be getting larger all the time.
This is because the red shift is accumulating DURING its travel time between
A and B.  Even if B was stationary in relation to A there would be an 
increasing red shift because the space between them is expanding and 
"dilating" the red shift in transit.  Hence, an appearence of acceleration.
 Regards,
 Joe
... You saw God?  ... Er yes, and She's black, sir!
--- Terminate 5.00/Pro *Wisdom: Intelligent use of Knowledge*
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