The center of our universe and its starting point?

[pickinduck]

I know that science has tried to see the edges of our universe but have they tried to find the center and the starting point from which the big bang happened and find out if they are one in the same?
I think I am going to email this Question to Dave Hearn the Director of Kissimmee Park Observatory.

[pickinduck]

I just emailed Dave Hearn the question.

[pickinduck]

Dave Hearn sent me a same day reply. Here it is.

It’s interesting that you should ask that, because someone just asked me this question at a recent observing session. When we look up in the sky, and examine the speed and direction of the motion of all the other galaxies, it appears that they are all receding away from us, which makes it appear that we are at the center of the universe! It’s actually that because the expansion started by the Big Bang is still continuing to this day. So because of this there is no way to determine where the Big Bang occurred physically in space. Since all the galaxies are moving away from us, then they must all be moving away from each other.

Here’s another way to think about it - the universe is like the surface of a balloon. All the galaxies are attached to the surface of that balloon. As the ballon is inflated, the distance between the galaxies grows. Although they have not really moved, all the galaxies appear to be moving away from each other. Really it’s just that the space between them increased.

Google “the Hubble Constant” and “Expanding Universe” for more info.

Hopefully that answered your question!

Dave

What I am taking away from Dave Hearn's reply is that science does not yet have the measurements to determine the center and starting points.
What do you think?

[sherlew99]

I agree, it would be very hard to find the exact place where the big bang happened. Some day we may be able to figure it out, but I doubt that will occur soon.

Also, I like the balloon example of how the universe expands. I've heard it before and think that it does a pretty good job of explaining our expanding universe in an easy to understand way.