Astronomy

3993 readers

7 users here now

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

New research puts age of universe at 26.7 billion years, nearly twice as old as previously believed (phys.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] fireweed 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I understand that it's physically possible for the solar system to exist under the current universe age estimation for the reasons that you state, which is why I prefaced my statement with an acknowledgement that it's an "utterly unscientific" opinion. However in telling the story of the universe (and our place in it), I think an older universe is more "satisfying." I'm applying humanities logic to a scientific question here, because again, I'm declaring "utterly unscientific and slightly crazy opinion time."

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

To each their own I guess. I personally find it more satisfying to think that life on Earth arose as early in the history of the universe as generally possible, as an answer to the Fermi paradox. If anything I worry more that the time is too long! There is a 5 billion year interval between generation 1 and generation 3 stars when heavy elements existed but Earth yet did not. To my gut feeling that is problematic.