u
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Dark energy
68.3%
Normal matter
4.9%Dark matter
26.8%KEYWWW.ASTRONOMY.COM 35Most of us regard space as if it were a vast container without
walls. Inside this huge f loorless cathedral lurks the appearance of
myriad separate objects. Seeing them as individual items requires
that each object be isolated and identified as a pattern imprinted
on the mind. We then also require surrounding space if we are to
identify them as separate entities.
But what if visible objects are merely bits of f lotsam material-
izing out of the vastly more powerful underlying vacuum energy,
which is ignored because it’s visually imperceptible? In a differ-
ent mindset, might we perceive a fundamental oneness rather
than distinct entities separated by space? If known objects are
blocked out within boundaries of color, shape, or utility only by
the thinking mind, then we might ask if space is always a reality
rather than mere perception.
Then, too, a minority school is convinced that the observer
and the universe are correlative. By this reasoning, the space “out
there” is part of a continuum of consciousness and nothing exists
apart from the observer. If so, the farthest regions of space are
located here in our minds. Well, OK, maybe forget that one for
now, since it would require a hundred pages of persuasive explica-
tion to seem anything other than lunatic.
In sum, there are multiple reasons why space cannot be the
simple blank gap between bodies assumed not too long ago. Shallwe count the ways? (1) Empty space is never empty, especially
when we include fields, photons, neutrinos, vacuum energy, and
transient particle pairs. (2) Distances between objects mutate
depending on a multitude of relativistic conditions so that no
inviolable distance exists anywhere, between anything and any-
thing else. (3) Quantum theory casts serious doubt about whether
even far-apart bodies are truly and fully separated. (4) Separations
between objects are often called space only because language and
convention makes us draw boundaries. Is it “outer space” inside
the Sun, in the vast empty gaps between and within its atoms?
The mental torment imposed by the issue of space shows no
sign of abating. Theoretical physicists wonder if there is a smallest
possible amount of space that cannot be subdivided; some say yes.
Others propose additional dimensions to space beyond the three
spatial dimensions and a fourth constituting time. There are com-
plex, mathematically plausible arguments for extra, unseen dimen-
sions. On the other hand, many scientists say that additional space
dimensions are mere speculation and must remain so unless some
actual experimental or observational evidence comes to light.
Even crossing off the wacky-sounding stuff, we’re left with a lot
to think about. We started with a simple question: What is space,
the main component of the cosmos?
And we end up with our heads spinning.It can be more than a little discon-
certing to think that everything in
existence we can see, touch, or affect
makes up only a small fraction of the
universe as a whole. ASTRONOMY: ROEN KELLYEdwin Hubble observed a multitude of galaxies, including the Pinwheel (M101), in order to make the startling
and disturbing discovery that space itself is expanding. NASA/ESA/K. KUNTZ (JHU)/F. BRESOLIN (UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII)/J. TRAUGER (JET
PROPULSION LAB)/J. MOULD (NOAO)/Y.-H. CHU (UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA)/STSCIUniversal roll call
FOR MORE NOT-SO-SPOOKY ACTIONS IN QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT, CHECK OUT http://www.Astronomy.com/toc.10
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Cell Protein Carbon atom Carbon nucleus QuarksNOAA/NASA GOES PROJECT (106 ); THINKSTOCK: RON CHAPPLE STOCK/RON CHAPPLE STUDIOS (103 ); PIXLAND (100 ); THINKSTOCK/ISTOCK: DENYS PRYKHODOV (10–2); JEKA 1984 (10–4), UGREEN (10–6), RAILELECTROPOWER A (10–9);ASTRONOMY: ROEN KELLY (10–11, 10–14, 10??)