All language subtitles for Search For The Edge Of Space (2022) 4K 2160p.en

the universe

the universe
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has long captivated us with its immense

has long captivated us with its immense

has long captivated us with its immense
scales of distance and time

scales of distance and time

scales of distance and time
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in recent times

in recent times

in recent times
giant new telescopes have allowed us to

giant new telescopes have allowed us to

giant new telescopes have allowed us to
cast our gaze into the deepest reaches

cast our gaze into the deepest reaches

cast our gaze into the deepest reaches
of the known universe

of the known universe

of the known universe
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astronomers have concluded that the

astronomers have concluded that the
stars and galaxies that stretch out to

stars and galaxies that stretch out to

stars and galaxies that stretch out to
the limits of our vision

the limits of our vision

the limits of our vision
may represent only a small fraction of

may represent only a small fraction of

may represent only a small fraction of
all there is

they are pioneering bold new theories

they are pioneering bold new theories
that describe a universe that extends

that describe a universe that extends

that describe a universe that extends
far beyond the limits of our vision

where does it all end

where does it all end
where do we

where do we

where do we
fit within it

a remote outpost in the andes mountains

a remote outpost in the andes mountains
here astronomers are opening a whole new

here astronomers are opening a whole new

here astronomers are opening a whole new
window onto the universe

window onto the universe

window onto the universe
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the reuben telescope with its giant

the reuben telescope with its giant

the reuben telescope with its giant
state-of-the-art mirror

state-of-the-art mirror

state-of-the-art mirror
will send a vast stream of data to a

will send a vast stream of data to a

will send a vast stream of data to a
global network of processing centers and

global network of processing centers and

global network of processing centers and
supercomputers

supercomputers

supercomputers
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its target

its target

its target
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dim objects racing through our solar

dim objects racing through our solar

dim objects racing through our solar
system

system

system
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stars in distant galaxies

stars in distant galaxies

stars in distant galaxies
exploding

exploding

exploding
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these blasts of energy from distant

these blasts of energy from distant
corners of creation

corners of creation

corners of creation
are messages from a universe that is

are messages from a universe that is

are messages from a universe that is
evolving in ways we can scarcely

evolving in ways we can scarcely

evolving in ways we can scarcely
comprehend

they are propelling us

they are propelling us
into a new age of advanced scientific

into a new age of advanced scientific

into a new age of advanced scientific
theories about the very nature of time

theories about the very nature of time

theories about the very nature of time
and space

theories that challenge philosophical

theories that challenge philosophical
assumptions

assumptions

assumptions
that have guided us since ancient times

that have guided us since ancient times

that have guided us since ancient times
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the greeks were the first to see natural

the greeks were the first to see natural
events as phenomena subject to human

events as phenomena subject to human

events as phenomena subject to human
investigation rather than the whims of

investigation rather than the whims of

investigation rather than the whims of
the gods

one philosopher and sky watcher annex

one philosopher and sky watcher annex
agaris

agaris

agaris
went so far as to say that meteors

went so far as to say that meteors

went so far as to say that meteors
are made of materials found on earth

and therefore might have actually come

and therefore might have actually come
from the earth

to observers back then

to observers back then
the world was made of four classical

the world was made of four classical

the world was made of four classical
elements

elements

elements
earth

earth

earth
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water

water

water
air

the philosopher aristotle proposed that

the philosopher aristotle proposed that
the realm of earth

the realm of earth

the realm of earth
is fundamentally distinct from that of

is fundamentally distinct from that of

is fundamentally distinct from that of
the stars

he argued that stars are made of a fifth

he argued that stars are made of a fifth
element

element

element
unchanging and incorruptible

unchanging and incorruptible

unchanging and incorruptible
called quintessence

called quintessence

called quintessence
or space

the realm of the stars in aristotle's

the realm of the stars in aristotle's
view

view

view
was the home of deities

was the home of deities

was the home of deities
arranged in a succession of spherical

arranged in a succession of spherical

arranged in a succession of spherical
regions surrounding the earth

regions surrounding the earth

regions surrounding the earth
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what would happen if a warrior traveled

what would happen if a warrior traveled
to the outermost region and tossed a

to the outermost region and tossed a

to the outermost region and tossed a
spear

where would it go

where would it go
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it would not fly off on an infinite

it would not fly off on an infinite

it would not fly off on an infinite
journey aristotle said

journey aristotle said

journey aristotle said
rather

rather

rather
it would join the motion of the stars in

it would join the motion of the stars in

it would join the motion of the stars in
a crystalline sphere that encircled the

a crystalline sphere that encircled the

a crystalline sphere that encircled the
earth

he assumed the universe with earth as

he assumed the universe with earth as
its focus

its focus

its focus
was limited in extent

was limited in extent

was limited in extent
finite in size

aristotle grappled with an implicit

aristotle grappled with an implicit
challenge to this view

challenge to this view

challenge to this view
that would one day transform science

nearly two centuries before the greek

nearly two centuries before the greek
mathematician pythagoras and his

mathematician pythagoras and his

mathematician pythagoras and his
followers began to see numerical

followers began to see numerical

followers began to see numerical
relationships as the key to

relationships as the key to

relationships as the key to
understanding the world around them

but in their investigation of geometric

but in their investigation of geometric
shapes

shapes

shapes
they discovered that some important

they discovered that some important

they discovered that some important
ratios could not be expressed in simple

ratios could not be expressed in simple

ratios could not be expressed in simple
numbers

one is the circumference of a circle to

one is the circumference of a circle to
its diameter called pi

computer scientists recently calculated

computer scientists recently calculated
pi to 5 trillion digits

pi to 5 trillion digits

pi to 5 trillion digits
confirming what the greeks learned

confirming what the greeks learned

confirming what the greeks learned
there are no repeating patterns

there are no repeating patterns

there are no repeating patterns
and no ending in sight

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the discovery of the so-called

the discovery of the so-called

the discovery of the so-called
irrational numbers like pi

irrational numbers like pi

irrational numbers like pi
was so disturbing

was so disturbing

was so disturbing
legend has it that one member of the

legend has it that one member of the

legend has it that one member of the
pythagorean cult the passes was drowned

pythagorean cult the passes was drowned

pythagorean cult the passes was drowned
at sea for divulging their existence

to aristotle

to aristotle
the idea of infinity evoked the chaos

the idea of infinity evoked the chaos

the idea of infinity evoked the chaos
from which the world emerged

a primordial state with no natural laws

a primordial state with no natural laws
or limits

or limits

or limits
devoid of all form and content

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to preserve the idea that the universe

to preserve the idea that the universe

to preserve the idea that the universe
has a form and limits

has a form and limits

has a form and limits
aristotle crafted an historic

aristotle crafted an historic

aristotle crafted an historic
distinction

on the one hand he pointed to the

on the one hand he pointed to the
irrational numbers such as pi

each new calculation results in an

each new calculation results in an
additional digit

additional digit

additional digit
but the final

but the final

but the final
final number in the string can never be

final number in the string can never be

final number in the string can never be
reached

aristotle dismissed it as potentially

aristotle dismissed it as potentially
infinite

infinite

infinite
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more important in his view was a value

more important in his view was a value
called the actually infinite

to understand it

to understand it
take a ruler and try calculating the

take a ruler and try calculating the

take a ruler and try calculating the
number of subdivisions within

number of subdivisions within

number of subdivisions within
subdivisions

subdivisions

subdivisions
there is a final number aristotle said

there is a final number aristotle said

there is a final number aristotle said
though we will never identify it

aristotle reserved that knowledge for

aristotle reserved that knowledge for
the so-called prime mover

the so-called prime mover

the so-called prime mover
the one who created the universe

the one who created the universe

the one who created the universe
and operates beyond our meager

and operates beyond our meager

and operates beyond our meager
capacities

this idea became the basis for the

this idea became the basis for the
cosmological or first cause argument for

cosmological or first cause argument for

cosmological or first cause argument for
the existence of god

another century later archimedes

another century later archimedes
incorporated actual infinity into

incorporated actual infinity into

incorporated actual infinity into
measurements of curved lines and volumes

measurements of curved lines and volumes

measurements of curved lines and volumes
his method boiled down to a process of

his method boiled down to a process of

his method boiled down to a process of
summation

summation

summation
place a triangle inside a circle

place a triangle inside a circle

place a triangle inside a circle
turn it into a square then a pentagon

turn it into a square then a pentagon

turn it into a square then a pentagon
and so on

and so on

and so on
as the number of sides increases to

as the number of sides increases to

as the number of sides increases to
infinity their combined lengths equal

infinity their combined lengths equal

infinity their combined lengths equal
the circumference of a circle

the circumference of a circle

the circumference of a circle
by slicing and dicing curves into an

by slicing and dicing curves into an

by slicing and dicing curves into an
infinite number of straight lines he was

infinite number of straight lines he was

infinite number of straight lines he was
able to compare a variety of curves

able to compare a variety of curves

able to compare a variety of curves
areas and volumes

archimedes anticipated techniques

archimedes anticipated techniques
developed 2 000 years later

developed 2 000 years later

developed 2 000 years later
and yet his ideas on infinity did not

and yet his ideas on infinity did not

and yet his ideas on infinity did not
carry forward

instead it was aristotle's idea of a

instead it was aristotle's idea of a
finite universe

finite universe

finite universe
with earth seated firmly at the center

with earth seated firmly at the center

with earth seated firmly at the center
that passed into the christian era

not everyone agreed

not everyone agreed
islamic hindu and even some western

islamic hindu and even some western

islamic hindu and even some western
thinkers posed alternate views that

thinkers posed alternate views that

thinkers posed alternate views that
included infinite space

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in european circles the idea of a

in european circles the idea of a

in european circles the idea of a
limited universe came into question

limited universe came into question

limited universe came into question
during the renaissance

in 1543 the polish astronomer nicholas

in 1543 the polish astronomer nicholas
copernicus

copernicus

copernicus
argued that earth orbits the sun

the old greek spheres began to fall by

the old greek spheres began to fall by
the wayside when the astronomer tycho

the wayside when the astronomer tycho

the wayside when the astronomer tycho
brahe spotted a supernova in 1572

these objects seem to behave

these objects seem to behave
independently of the other stars

independently of the other stars

independently of the other stars
still

still

still
church leaders frowned on any attempt to

church leaders frowned on any attempt to

church leaders frowned on any attempt to
extend the boundaries of the universe

extend the boundaries of the universe

extend the boundaries of the universe
for that encroached on the unique

for that encroached on the unique

for that encroached on the unique
province of god

that didn't stop a monk named giordano

that didn't stop a monk named giordano
bruno who traveled europe in the height

bruno who traveled europe in the height

bruno who traveled europe in the height
of the inquisition proclaiming an

of the inquisition proclaiming an

of the inquisition proclaiming an
infinite universe

he was burned at the stake for this and

he was burned at the stake for this and
other heresies in the year 1600

nine years later in 1609

nine years later in 1609
galileo galilei used the first

galileo galilei used the first

galileo galilei used the first
astronomical telescope to show that the

astronomical telescope to show that the

astronomical telescope to show that the
solar system and the universe

solar system and the universe

solar system and the universe
are much larger than we thought

galileo was forced to recant his views

galileo was forced to recant his views
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still

still

still
the reality of a much larger cosmos had

the reality of a much larger cosmos had

the reality of a much larger cosmos had
begun to sink in

john milton spoke for a generation of

john milton spoke for a generation of
scientists and poets

scientists and poets

scientists and poets
in his 17th century epic paradise lost

in his 17th century epic paradise lost

in his 17th century epic paradise lost
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when i behold this goodly frame

when i behold this goodly frame
this world

this world

this world
of heaven and earth

of heaven and earth

of heaven and earth
consisting and compute their magnitudes

consisting and compute their magnitudes

consisting and compute their magnitudes
this earth

this earth

this earth
a spot

a spot

a spot
a grain

an atom

an atom
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at the end of the 19th century the

at the end of the 19th century the
mathematician georg cantor sought once

mathematician georg cantor sought once

mathematician georg cantor sought once
and for all to take metaphysics out of

and for all to take metaphysics out of

and for all to take metaphysics out of
mathematics

he became known for folding finite and

he became known for folding finite and
infinite numbers

infinite numbers

infinite numbers
into a unified theory of number sets

into a unified theory of number sets

into a unified theory of number sets
considered a foundation of modern math

to show how it works

to show how it works
his defenders conjured up this grand

his defenders conjured up this grand

his defenders conjured up this grand
hotel

hotel

hotel
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you arrive to find it's booked solid

you arrive to find it's booked solid
but you're in luck

but you're in luck

but you're in luck
because here there is an infinite number

because here there is an infinite number

because here there is an infinite number
of rooms

the manager assigns you to room number

the manager assigns you to room number
one

one

one
and directs you down the corridor

then she goes to work

then she goes to work
shifting the guest in room one to room

shifting the guest in room one to room

shifting the guest in room one to room
two

two

two
room two to room three three to four

room two to room three three to four

room two to room three three to four
and so on

so in this hotel

so in this hotel
there's a number set that includes an

there's a number set that includes an

there's a number set that includes an
infinite number of rooms

infinite number of rooms

infinite number of rooms
then there's that same set plus your

then there's that same set plus your

then there's that same set plus your
room

two infinite sets

two infinite sets
yet one is a subset of the other

being able to use infinite sets of

being able to use infinite sets of
different sizes

different sizes

different sizes
allowed mathematicians to design

allowed mathematicians to design

allowed mathematicians to design
equations describing continuous motion

equations describing continuous motion

equations describing continuous motion
and change over time

even as mathematicians embraced infinity

even as mathematicians embraced infinity
scientists still had trouble squaring it

scientists still had trouble squaring it

scientists still had trouble squaring it
with physical reality

albert einstein for one believed that if

albert einstein for one believed that if
the universe had no limits

the universe had no limits

the universe had no limits
then the night sky would be filled with

then the night sky would be filled with

then the night sky would be filled with
dense starlight

dense starlight

dense starlight
shining from every direction

weed reel from the effects of infinite

weed reel from the effects of infinite
gravity

instead much like aristotle with his

instead much like aristotle with his
warrior

warrior

warrior
einstein believed that space was by its

einstein believed that space was by its

einstein believed that space was by its
nature

nature

nature
curved

parallel lines would always meet

parallel lines would always meet
and beams of light inevitably returned

and beams of light inevitably returned

and beams of light inevitably returned
to their source

as far as astronomers could see

as far as astronomers could see
the universe had its limits

it consisted of a flat disk of stars

it consisted of a flat disk of stars
the milky way

the milky way

the milky way
and island universe in which the solar

and island universe in which the solar

and island universe in which the solar
system resides

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that view crumbled in the 1920s

edwin hubble and milt humison used the

edwin hubble and milt humison used the
new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson

new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson

new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson
in california to look at mysterious

in california to look at mysterious

in california to look at mysterious
fuzzy patches of sky called nebulae

they found that some of these patches

they found that some of these patches
were galaxies like the milky way

were galaxies like the milky way

were galaxies like the milky way
and very far away

what's more the farther away they are

what's more the farther away they are
the faster they are moving away from us

this fact known as hubble's law

this fact known as hubble's law
led to an inescapable conclusion

that the universe began at a singular

that the universe began at a singular
moment in time

a violent primordial event called

a violent primordial event called
the big bang

the big bang

the big bang
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this view resting on four main pillars

this view resting on four main pillars
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one that the universe is expanding in

one that the universe is expanding in

one that the universe is expanding in
all directions

if you turned the clock back you'd see

if you turned the clock back you'd see
that everything had a common starting

that everything had a common starting

that everything had a common starting
point

two

two
it established a time frame for the

it established a time frame for the

it established a time frame for the
formation of stars

formation of stars

formation of stars
galaxies

galaxies

galaxies
and the distribution of matter on large

and the distribution of matter on large

and the distribution of matter on large
scales

three it established a time frame for

three it established a time frame for
the chemical evolution of the universe

the chemical evolution of the universe

the chemical evolution of the universe
with light elements like hydrogen

with light elements like hydrogen

with light elements like hydrogen
dominating the early universe

dominating the early universe

dominating the early universe
and heavier elements generated over time

and heavier elements generated over time

and heavier elements generated over time
in the life and death of stars

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finally it described the universe in its

finally it described the universe in its

finally it described the universe in its
primordial state

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in the wake of the big bang the universe

in the wake of the big bang the universe

in the wake of the big bang the universe
was filled with a cloud of extremely hot

was filled with a cloud of extremely hot

was filled with a cloud of extremely hot
gas that scattered all light

gas that scattered all light

gas that scattered all light
as the universe cooled and the first

as the universe cooled and the first

as the universe cooled and the first
atoms formed the cloud

atoms formed the cloud

atoms formed the cloud
dissipated light was able to move freely

dissipated light was able to move freely

dissipated light was able to move freely
about

over time as the universe expanded

over time as the universe expanded
the spectral signature of this light

the spectral signature of this light

the spectral signature of this light
would have shifted into the microwave

would have shifted into the microwave

would have shifted into the microwave
portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

in one of the great accidental

in one of the great accidental
discoveries of all time

discoveries of all time

discoveries of all time
a pair of physicists spotted this

a pair of physicists spotted this

a pair of physicists spotted this
primordial light back in the 1960s

bell labs had built a giant horn-shaped

bell labs had built a giant horn-shaped
antenna as part of a long-distance radio

antenna as part of a long-distance radio

antenna as part of a long-distance radio
transmission system

transmission system

transmission system
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arno penzias and robert wilson pointed

arno penzias and robert wilson pointed

arno penzias and robert wilson pointed
this contraption into space

this contraption into space

this contraption into space
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wherever they aimed they picked up

wherever they aimed they picked up
excessive microwave noise

excessive microwave noise

excessive microwave noise
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that noise

that noise

that noise
part of the static on many old style

part of the static on many old style

part of the static on many old style
televisions

televisions

televisions
is the echo of the big bang

decades later the hubble space telescope

decades later the hubble space telescope
launched into orbit on april 24th 1990

launched into orbit on april 24th 1990

launched into orbit on april 24th 1990
in one of the most important scientific

in one of the most important scientific

in one of the most important scientific
milestones of our time

another notable launch took place five

another notable launch took place five
months earlier

months earlier

months earlier
the cosmic observation background

the cosmic observation background

the cosmic observation background
explorer

explorer

explorer
kobe for short

it found that the microwave background

it found that the microwave background
signal in space

signal in space

signal in space
contains a subtle pattern of hot and

contains a subtle pattern of hot and

contains a subtle pattern of hot and
cold spots

cold spots

cold spots
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later missions mapped an even more

later missions mapped an even more
detailed pattern including this image

detailed pattern including this image

detailed pattern including this image
from the european planck observatory

from the european planck observatory

from the european planck observatory
if scientists can find the source of

if scientists can find the source of

if scientists can find the source of
this pattern they might learn not only

this pattern they might learn not only

this pattern they might learn not only
about how the universe began

about how the universe began

about how the universe began
but where it's going

at the european large hadron collider

at the european large hadron collider
they are sending protons racing in

they are sending protons racing in

they are sending protons racing in
opposite directions in a circular tunnel

opposite directions in a circular tunnel

opposite directions in a circular tunnel
27 kilometers long

when these particles reach velocities

when these particles reach velocities
just short of the speed of light

just short of the speed of light

just short of the speed of light
they are sent into a violent collision

a fireball erupts reaching a temperature

a fireball erupts reaching a temperature
exceeding 2 trillion degrees centigrade

as far as we know the last time anything

as far as we know the last time anything
in our universe was that hot was about a

in our universe was that hot was about a

in our universe was that hot was about a
millionth of a second after its birth

millionth of a second after its birth

millionth of a second after its birth
the splatter of subatomic particles

the splatter of subatomic particles

the splatter of subatomic particles
forms a super hot soup of corks and

forms a super hot soup of corks and

forms a super hot soup of corks and
gluons

the thinking is that a primordial energy

the thinking is that a primordial energy
field that spawned the big bang was

field that spawned the big bang was

field that spawned the big bang was
patterned with tiny fluctuations

these fluctuations generated pressure

these fluctuations generated pressure
waves or ripples

waves or ripples

waves or ripples
that passed through the ultra dense cork

that passed through the ultra dense cork

that passed through the ultra dense cork
gluon mix

gluon mix

gluon mix
as the universe expanded

as the universe expanded

as the universe expanded
these ripples would have been imprinted

these ripples would have been imprinted

these ripples would have been imprinted
on the distribution of matter

on the distribution of matter

on the distribution of matter
on the largest of scales

to test this idea astronomers set out to

to test this idea astronomers set out to
literally map the universe in three

literally map the universe in three

literally map the universe in three
dimensions

in an age of computer-controlled

in an age of computer-controlled
telescopes and automated observing

telescopes and automated observing

telescopes and automated observing
astronomers targeted a large fraction of

astronomers targeted a large fraction of

astronomers targeted a large fraction of
the sky

the sloan digital sky survey in the

the sloan digital sky survey in the
mountains of new mexico set the standard

mountains of new mexico set the standard

mountains of new mexico set the standard
for large-scale cosmic cartography

a series of steel plates are drilled

a series of steel plates are drilled
with holes that exactly match the

with holes that exactly match the

with holes that exactly match the
locations of galaxies in the night sky

after plugging fiber optic sensors into

after plugging fiber optic sensors into
the holes

the holes

the holes
the plates are loaded into the telescope

it then captures the light of hundreds

it then captures the light of hundreds
of galaxies per night

of galaxies per night

of galaxies per night
gathering information about their

gathering information about their

gathering information about their
brightness and distance from earth

brightness and distance from earth

brightness and distance from earth
from this data astronomers are

from this data astronomers are

from this data astronomers are
assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in

assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in

assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in
three dimensions

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traveling out into the data

traveling out into the data

traveling out into the data
we pass beyond our remote corner of the

we pass beyond our remote corner of the

we pass beyond our remote corner of the
milky way

we enter a collection of 20 odd galaxies

we enter a collection of 20 odd galaxies
known as the local group

known as the local group

known as the local group
our cosmic neighborhood

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our path takes us some 50 million light

our path takes us some 50 million light

our path takes us some 50 million light
years away to the densely packed virgo

years away to the densely packed virgo

years away to the densely packed virgo
supercluster

supercluster

supercluster
the nearest intergalactic city

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beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls

beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls

beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls
and arcs

the goal in ever larger survey projects

the goal in ever larger survey projects
is to trace the evolution of these

is to trace the evolution of these

is to trace the evolution of these
structures all the way back to their

structures all the way back to their

structures all the way back to their
beginnings

looking north the sloan digital sky

looking north the sloan digital sky
survey has mapped galaxies out to

survey has mapped galaxies out to

survey has mapped galaxies out to
one-third the distance to our visible

one-third the distance to our visible

one-third the distance to our visible
horizon

astronomers are now leaping beyond that

astronomers are now leaping beyond that
with projects based in the mountains of

with projects based in the mountains of

with projects based in the mountains of
chile

chile

chile
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the dark energy survey uses one of the

the dark energy survey uses one of the

the dark energy survey uses one of the
largest cameras in the world to divide

largest cameras in the world to divide

largest cameras in the world to divide
the field of view into 62 high

the field of view into 62 high

the field of view into 62 high
resolution detectors

each one captures countless thousands of

each one captures countless thousands of
celestial objects extending halfway

celestial objects extending halfway

celestial objects extending halfway
across the visible universe

night after night month after month

night after night month after month
the exposures pile up across a survey

the exposures pile up across a survey

the exposures pile up across a survey
area that covers a quarter of the

area that covers a quarter of the

area that covers a quarter of the
southern sky or an eighth of the entire

southern sky or an eighth of the entire

southern sky or an eighth of the entire
sky as seen from earth

the reuben telescope on a nearby

the reuben telescope on a nearby
mountain

mountain

mountain
expands that to one half the sky seen

expands that to one half the sky seen

expands that to one half the sky seen
from earth

how far we can see into the deep

how far we can see into the deep
universe is determined by the speed of

universe is determined by the speed of

universe is determined by the speed of
light

light

light
how far the light of distant objects

how far the light of distant objects

how far the light of distant objects
would have traveled since the big bang

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using hubble and other modern telescopes

using hubble and other modern telescopes

using hubble and other modern telescopes
astronomers have placed that time at

astronomers have placed that time at

astronomers have placed that time at
13.7

13.7

13.7
billion years ago

taking into account the expansion of

taking into account the expansion of
space ever since

space ever since

space ever since
the radius of the visible universe our

the radius of the visible universe our

the radius of the visible universe our
visible horizon

visible horizon

visible horizon
extends out to 46 billion light years

extends out to 46 billion light years

extends out to 46 billion light years
from earth

if you look in opposite directions the

if you look in opposite directions the
most distant galaxies discovered by the

most distant galaxies discovered by the

most distant galaxies discovered by the
hubble space telescope are actually 92

hubble space telescope are actually 92

hubble space telescope are actually 92
billion light years from each other

billion light years from each other

billion light years from each other
the horizons of those galaxies would

the horizons of those galaxies would

the horizons of those galaxies would
stretch to 138 billion light years from

stretch to 138 billion light years from

stretch to 138 billion light years from
earth

where does it end

where does it end
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in fact

in fact

in fact
our 92 billion light year wide patch the

our 92 billion light year wide patch the

our 92 billion light year wide patch the
visible universe

visible universe

visible universe
may be a mere speck within the universe

may be a mere speck within the universe

may be a mere speck within the universe
as a whole

that's the conclusion of a dramatic new

that's the conclusion of a dramatic new
theory designed to address questions

theory designed to address questions

theory designed to address questions
about the nature of the big bang

one

one
how did the universe get so large so

how did the universe get so large so

how did the universe get so large so
quickly

quickly

quickly
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and two how did it get so smooth

in every direction you look

in every direction you look
the density of galaxies is the same on

the density of galaxies is the same on

the density of galaxies is the same on
large scales

whatever process flung the universe

whatever process flung the universe
outward must have somehow blended it in

outward must have somehow blended it in

outward must have somehow blended it in
its earliest moments

the new theory called inflation

the new theory called inflation
is based on the discovery that space is

is based on the discovery that space is

is based on the discovery that space is
not as scientists once thought

not as scientists once thought

not as scientists once thought
just the absence of matter

just the absence of matter

just the absence of matter
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it is actually seething with energy in

it is actually seething with energy in

it is actually seething with energy in
the form of particles of opposite charge

the form of particles of opposite charge

the form of particles of opposite charge
matter

matter

matter
and antimatter

and antimatter

and antimatter
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back in the 1980s the physicist alan

back in the 1980s the physicist alan

back in the 1980s the physicist alan
guth proposed that in primordial times

guth proposed that in primordial times

guth proposed that in primordial times
an energy field embedded in the vacuum

an energy field embedded in the vacuum

an energy field embedded in the vacuum
of space

of space

of space
suddenly tipped into a higher energy

suddenly tipped into a higher energy

suddenly tipped into a higher energy
state

causing space and time to literally

causing space and time to literally
inflate

the universe went from atomic size to

the universe went from atomic size to
cosmological size within an

cosmological size within an

cosmological size within an
infinitesimally short time

infinitesimally short time

infinitesimally short time
as a result

as a result

as a result
according to guth's calculation

according to guth's calculation

according to guth's calculation
the universe as a whole would have grown

the universe as a whole would have grown

the universe as a whole would have grown
to some 10 billion trillion times the

to some 10 billion trillion times the

to some 10 billion trillion times the
size of the observable universe

that's a 10 followed by 24 zeros

that's a 10 followed by 24 zeros
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put another way

put another way
an atom

an atom

an atom
is to the observable universe

as the observable universe

as the observable universe
is to the whole universe

is to the whole universe

is to the whole universe
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the fury of cosmic inflation helps

the fury of cosmic inflation helps
explain the immense size and smoothness

explain the immense size and smoothness

explain the immense size and smoothness
of the cosmos

but this basic theory still does not get

but this basic theory still does not get
us beyond the idea held by thinkers from

us beyond the idea held by thinkers from

us beyond the idea held by thinkers from
aristotle to einstein

aristotle to einstein

aristotle to einstein
that the universe is closed finite in

that the universe is closed finite in

that the universe is closed finite in
size

size

size
even if mind-bogglingly large

recent versions of inflationary theory

recent versions of inflationary theory
have begun to force concepts of infinity

have begun to force concepts of infinity

have begun to force concepts of infinity
back into our popular cosmology

back into our popular cosmology

back into our popular cosmology
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astronomers have known for decades that

astronomers have known for decades that
the amount of matter observed in distant

the amount of matter observed in distant

the amount of matter observed in distant
galaxies

galaxies

galaxies
does not supply enough gravity to hold

does not supply enough gravity to hold

does not supply enough gravity to hold
these spinning structures together

there is a missing ingredient that we

there is a missing ingredient that we
just do not see

just do not see

just do not see
its identity still unknown

its identity still unknown

its identity still unknown
scientists call it dark matter

by adding dark matter into supercomputer

by adding dark matter into supercomputer
simulations of cosmic evolution

simulations of cosmic evolution

simulations of cosmic evolution
scientists have been able to recreate

scientists have been able to recreate

scientists have been able to recreate
the gravitational fields needed to form

the gravitational fields needed to form

the gravitational fields needed to form
the large scale structures we observe

the large scale structures we observe

the large scale structures we observe
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astronomers wanted to know

astronomers wanted to know
is the gravity of dark matter enough to

is the gravity of dark matter enough to

is the gravity of dark matter enough to
one day slow the cosmic expansion to a

one day slow the cosmic expansion to a

one day slow the cosmic expansion to a
stop

to answer this question they sought to

to answer this question they sought to
refine their measurements of cosmic

refine their measurements of cosmic

refine their measurements of cosmic
expansion by using a new type of

expansion by using a new type of

expansion by using a new type of
distance marker

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it emerges from the charred remains of a

it emerges from the charred remains of a

it emerges from the charred remains of a
sun-like star called a white dwarf

if this star takes on mass by drawing it

if this star takes on mass by drawing it
from another star

from another star

from another star
it may grow to a critical threshold

it may grow to a critical threshold

it may grow to a critical threshold
and explode

and explode

type 1a supernovae are thought to shine

type 1a supernovae are thought to shine
at uniform intensities throughout the

at uniform intensities throughout the

at uniform intensities throughout the
universe

universe

universe
so if astronomers measure differences in

so if astronomers measure differences in

so if astronomers measure differences in
their brightness at varying distances

their brightness at varying distances

their brightness at varying distances
that could indicate a change in the

that could indicate a change in the

that could indicate a change in the
cosmic expansion rate over time

to their surprise

to their surprise
the data showed that the universe as a

the data showed that the universe as a

the data showed that the universe as a
whole is not only expanding

whole is not only expanding

whole is not only expanding
it's actually accelerating outward

the culprit is thought to be energy

the culprit is thought to be energy
welling up in minute quantities from the

welling up in minute quantities from the

welling up in minute quantities from the
vacuum of space

as the universe expands

as the universe expands
the force exerted by these particles

the force exerted by these particles

the force exerted by these particles
increases over time

increases over time

increases over time
enough to push space outward across the

enough to push space outward across the

enough to push space outward across the
whole universe

this so-called dark energy

this so-called dark energy
now amounts to an astonishing

now amounts to an astonishing

now amounts to an astonishing
three-fourths of all the matter and

three-fourths of all the matter and

three-fourths of all the matter and
energy in the universe

if it's similar to what drove inflation

if it's similar to what drove inflation
in the early moments of the big bang

in the early moments of the big bang

in the early moments of the big bang
then our universe may exist in a far

then our universe may exist in a far

then our universe may exist in a far
broader cosmic context than we've

broader cosmic context than we've

broader cosmic context than we've
imagined

there is a version of inflationary

there is a version of inflationary
theory that suggests we live in one of

theory that suggests we live in one of

theory that suggests we live in one of
many universes

many universes

many universes
that emerged and coexist side by side

that emerged and coexist side by side

that emerged and coexist side by side
like bubbles continually rising up from

like bubbles continually rising up from

like bubbles continually rising up from
an infinitely vast quantum vacuum

are expanding throughout an endless

are expanding throughout an endless
ocean of space and time

a related idea theorizes a cosmic

a related idea theorizes a cosmic
landscape unfolding in vast fractal

landscape unfolding in vast fractal

landscape unfolding in vast fractal
patterns

from this new perspective

from this new perspective
our universe however we define it is

our universe however we define it is

our universe however we define it is
incomprehensibly small

yet another version of inflation appends

yet another version of inflation appends
our entire conception of time and space

our entire conception of time and space

our entire conception of time and space
astronomers at the rubin and other

astronomers at the rubin and other

astronomers at the rubin and other
observatories will be scanning the

observatories will be scanning the

observatories will be scanning the
heavens for a breed of black holes that

heavens for a breed of black holes that

heavens for a breed of black holes that
would have been born moments after the

would have been born moments after the

would have been born moments after the
universe burst forth

some might have sown the seeds of the

some might have sown the seeds of the
first galaxies growing over time to

first galaxies growing over time to

first galaxies growing over time to
millions even billions of times the mass

millions even billions of times the mass

millions even billions of times the mass
of the sun

others

others
far more numerous

far more numerous

far more numerous
and as small as the moon

and as small as the moon

and as small as the moon
were left to roam the cosmos

were left to roam the cosmos

were left to roam the cosmos
moving silently amid the luminous dust

moving silently amid the luminous dust

moving silently amid the luminous dust
lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like

lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like

lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like
ours

the idea is to scan billions of stars in

the idea is to scan billions of stars in
the milky way and other galaxies

if a black hole passes through our line

if a black hole passes through our line
of sight

of sight

of sight
a star behind it will dim then brighten

the discovery of these objects would

the discovery of these objects would
lend insight into one of inflation's

lend insight into one of inflation's

lend insight into one of inflation's
wilder predictions

that in the ultra dense conditions of

that in the ultra dense conditions of
early times

early times

early times
more than one universe would have

more than one universe would have

more than one universe would have
inflated

perhaps within one of those primordial

perhaps within one of those primordial
black holes

from our vantage point on the outside

from our vantage point on the outside
these objects would appear simply as

these objects would appear simply as

these objects would appear simply as
black holes

if you could go inside

if you could go inside
a baby universe would appear to be

a baby universe would appear to be

a baby universe would appear to be
expanding outward much like our own

expanding outward much like our own

expanding outward much like our own
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in galileo's time most sky watchers saw

in galileo's time most sky watchers saw
the universe as an assemblage of stars

the universe as an assemblage of stars

the universe as an assemblage of stars
that surrounded the earth in relatively

that surrounded the earth in relatively

that surrounded the earth in relatively
close proximity

he showed instead that stars are far

he showed instead that stars are far
removed from our planet

imagine how galileo would have reacted

imagine how galileo would have reacted
to this image of earth

to this image of earth

to this image of earth
captured in the year 1979 by the

captured in the year 1979 by the

captured in the year 1979 by the
spacecraft voyager 2

spacecraft voyager 2

spacecraft voyager 2
as it passed by neptune

as it passed by neptune

as it passed by neptune
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since galileo's time our earth has gone

since galileo's time our earth has gone

since galileo's time our earth has gone
from the center of all things

from the center of all things

from the center of all things
to a pale blue dot

to a pale blue dot

to a pale blue dot
lost in the vastness of space

we now know it is set within a universe

we now know it is set within a universe
of galaxies

clusters of

clusters of
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galaxies and beyond them

galaxies and beyond them
vast luminous walls and filaments of

vast luminous walls and filaments of

vast luminous walls and filaments of
matter

matter

matter
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today's ideas about the size of the

today's ideas about the size of the
universe amount to a quantum leap in our

universe amount to a quantum leap in our

universe amount to a quantum leap in our
sense of scale

sense of scale

sense of scale
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by extending these structures far far

by extending these structures far far

by extending these structures far far
beyond our horizon

beyond our horizon

beyond our horizon
perhaps touching on the infinite

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do our discoveries push us

do our discoveries push us

do our discoveries push us
on this tiny out of the way planet

on this tiny out of the way planet

on this tiny out of the way planet
into an ever smaller corner of creation

into an ever smaller corner of creation

into an ever smaller corner of creation
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or

or
does our ability to comprehend

does our ability to comprehend

does our ability to comprehend
and imagine

and imagine

and imagine
the far limits of time and space

the far limits of time and space

the far limits of time and space
somehow expand our importance

in the grand scheme of things

in the grand scheme of things
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