Large-scale structure of the universe

[Thorbal]

While randomly browsing the web yesterday, I stumbled scross this video, showing the "Millenium Simulation" from the Max Planck-Institute - a large-scale model of the universe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFlzyxSQhTc&feature=related

I just thought I´d share it with you because I was so impressed... simply jaw-dropping.

Here is the website with some additional info: http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/galform/press/

Edit: another video that impressed me somewhat - a comparison of our sun with other stars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bov9M2gEgcE

 

[warpus]

And to think some people still believe we're at the center of it all..

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

This is absolutly amazing. I wonder how long it took to rendrer. They must have had a huge computer.

 

[philippe]

there might be more h²o atoms in a bottle of water then there are stars in the universe. I at times want to be immortal to see the beauty of the universe...

 

[Thorbal]

Somehow it looks like brain tissue, doesn´t it?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

And to think some people still believe we're at the center of it all..

Sure we are. Far as I can tell, all points, and none, are at the center of it.

(It's possible you meant something other than the physical center - but then, the structure of the physical universe would be irrelevant.)

 

[Honkoid]

Wow, especially the second video impressed me! Thanks
Maybe I can return the favor with this link: www.atlasoftheuniverse.com

 

[Thorbal]

That´s a great site too, thanks !

Yes, the second one really made me cringe a bit - although I knew the average diameters etc. beforehand, seeing it is a different thing altogether. The first one is perhaps already too massive to comprehend.

 

[warpus]

Sure we are. Far as I can tell, all points, and none, are at the center of it.

Well, if the Universe is finite then the physical centre is likely not here.. If it is infinite, there is no centre.

(It's possible you meant something other than the physical center - but then, the structure of the physical universe would be irrelevant.)

I meant both a physical centre and a "we're why the Universe exists, dammit" type of centre.

 

[Masquerouge]

Yeah, once you've watched this you will be unable to stop a sneer the next time you'll hear in a sci-fi work about aliens controlling the universe.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I thought the universe was finite but curved, and thus had no center in the same sense that the surface of a sphere has no center.

As for its meaning, if the universe was created for us, that is no reason to assume we would be placed in whatever center it has. It has been known for some time how big the place is.

 

[warpus]

As for its meaning, if the universe was created for us, that is no reason to assume we would be placed in whatever center it has. It has been known for some time how big the place is.

Ok, assume I said "centre of attention"

And yes, we've known for a while now how huge this place is, but most people can't really wrap their heads around the sheer immensity of it.. This video helps put things in perspective.. somewhat.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, okay, but the size of the place and our position within it doesn't prove we aren't the center of attention.

Anyways, it really is mind-bogglingly huge. I mean, it gives me the jibblies, almost.

 

[Masquerouge]

Ok, assume I said "centre of attention"

And yes, we've known for a while now how huge this place is, but most people can't really wrap their heads around the sheer immensity of it.. This video helps put things in perspective.. somewhat.

Yeah, somwehat Remember the initial opening is only 1.5% of the total universe

 

[warpus]

Well, okay, but the size of the place and our position within it doesn't prove we aren't the center of attention.

Doesn't prove, but it's like..

Okay, say I was born on a mostly uninhabited island. Nobody else here except me and my parents. They tell me that the world exists for me.. it's all about me me me.

Then we get rescued and I realize that I was wrong.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well . . .

If after being rescued you still haven't actually met another person, the analogy holds.

(And bear in mind that I am now just arguing for the sake of arguing; I don't believe that humans are the only purpose of the universe, nor that this planet is the only host of intelligent life.)

 

[brennan]

I thought the universe was finite but curved, and thus had no center in the same sense that the surface of a sphere has no center.

As for its meaning, if the universe was created for us, that is no reason to assume we would be placed in whatever center it has. It has been known for some time how big the place is.

The finite, but curved bit refers to it's existence in time (Actually I think we're in a 'just about open' scenario at the mo).

The physical shape of the universe is currently thought to be analogous to a the computer screen in 'Asteroids' (if you remember that) - go off one edge and you reappear on the opposite side, so where the edges are is really just an arbitrary convention - the idea of the universe having an 'edge' does not make sense.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, there was no real center in that game, then. But if it has both X and Y wrapping, like the game, doesn't that mean it's shaped like a donut?

 

[Gooblah]

Thank you so much for showing this to us.

It's so beautiful. It makes me wonder how tiny we are, and how insignificant we are, compared to the scale of this universe we exist in. When we meet the other lifeforms out there, we can expand our knowledge even more. Oh, so beautiful...

 

[zxcvbnm]

Wow. This looks like brains, but it confirms...

...that we do have the ultimate question in our brainwaves!

That's something I'd like to show to anyone who thinks we are the purpose of everything