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The so-called "'''starlight problem'''", or "'''starlight travel-time problem'''" is an apparent problem for the [[Young Earth Creationism|young-Earth creationist]] argument that the universe is only 6,000 years old, which age is based primarily on the [[Genesis]] narrative.

The '''starlight problem''', or '''starlight travel-time problem''' is an apparent problem for the [[Young Earth Creationism|young-Earth creationist]] argument that the universe is only 6,000 years old, in which the age of the universe is based primarily on the [[Genesis]] narrative.

The problem is that if the universe is only 6,000 years old, one has to explain how light from stars more than 6,000 light years from Earth has reached us in the time available.

The problem is that if the universe is only 6,000 years old, one has to explain how light from stars more than 6,000 light years from Earth has reached us in the time available.

Despite this frequently being put as an argument against young-Earth creationism, light travel time is also a problem for the [[Big Bang theory]].

Despite this frequently being put as an argument against young-Earth creationism, light travel time is also a problem for the [[Big Bang theory]].

Creationist have proposed a number of solutions, with the currently-favoured solutions involving time dilation, in which time passed slower on Earth than in other parts of the universe.

Creationists have proposed a number of solutions. The currently-favoured solutions involve time dilation, in which time passed slower on Earth than in other parts of the universe.

[[image:Crab composite cx.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Crab nebula, a supernova remnant]]

[[image:Crab composite cx.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Crab nebula, a supernova remnant]]

== The size of the universe ==

== The size of the universe ==

Using parallax calculations, the [[Milky Way]] galaxy alone can be directly observed to have a diameter of approximately 80-100,000 light years. Calculations based on the observed brightness of [[supernova]]s of known energy output can determine the distance to more distant objects. The most distant object known is a star cluster approximately thirteen billion light-years away from Earth, observed by the [[Hubble Telescope]] using gravitational lensing.<ref>Amos, 2004</ref>

Using parallax calculations, the [[Milky Way]] galaxy alone can be directly observed to have a diameter of approximately 80-100,000 light years. Calculations based on the observed brightness of [[supernova]]e of known energy output can determine the distance to more distant objects. The most distant object known is a star cluster approximately thirteen billion light-years away from Earth, observed by the [[Hubble Telescope]] using gravitational lensing.<ref>Amos, 2004</ref>

Although creationists have at times disputed the size of the [[universe]], virtually none propose that it is less than 12,000 light years across.<ref>Fangrad, Richard, 2007.</ref>

Although creationists have at times disputed the size of the [[universe]], virtually none propose that it is less than 12,000 light years across.<ref>Fangrad, Richard, 2007.</ref>