Big Bang theory

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According to the Big Bang theory, the universe emerged from an extremely dense and hot state called the original singularity.
According to the Big Bang theory, the 3 possible geometry of the universe depends on value of the cosmological constant.

The Big Bang Theory is the current dominant scientific hypothesis explaining the acceleration of matter throughout the Universe. Big bang theories are actually a class of scientific models that describe the Universe as expanding from a very hot, dense state approximately 16.5 -- although this number has changed many times throughout recent history -- billion years ago. It was first proposed by Georges-Henri Lemaitre and evidence for the expansion was observed by Edwin Hubble[1]. Later George Gamow predicted that the Big Bang would leave an observable microwave background radiation (or CMBR). This radiation was subsequently discovered by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson at Bell Labs and found to be close to that predicted by Gamow (Gamow predicted a background radiation level equivalent to a roughly 3 K black body object, and the observed level is that of a 2.725 K body). Pensiaz and Wilson were awarded a Nobel Prize in 1978 for their work.

The term "Big Bang" implies an explosion of matter into pre-existing space, but the theory actually indicates that space is dynamic and more space is constantly created in the interstices between particles as the density of the universe falls. In other words, the Big Bang describes the expansion of space and time. Big Bang theorists state that the Hubble redshift is a consequence of this stretching of the fabric of space.

Observations of distant supernovae indicate that the Universe is actually undergoing accelerated expansion[2][3] and galaxy surveys[4][5] and recent observations of the microwave background[6][7] have corroborated these claims. Conventional wisdom is that the acceleration is caused by some sort of dark energy, which has not yet been directly observed.

Big Bang Theory Dissent Letter

The Big Bang Theory has had many dissenters including the British astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle, the Nobel Prize winner Hannes Alfven, and astronomers Geoffrey Burbidge and Halton Arp. [8] It was Hoyle who sarcastically coined the term during a radio broadcast.

In 2004, a ‘Open Letter to the Scientific Community’ disputing the big bang theory was signed by 33 scientists and has been published on the internet and in the science journal New Scientist. [9] The dissent letter has subsequently been signed by hundreds of individuals around the world. [10] Professional cosmologists are actively creating models (some of which contradict the Big Bang scenario) and collecting data that probe the specific nature of the earliest observable aspects of the Universe.

Creationist and Theistic Evolutionary Views

Most atheists believe in the Big Bang theory. There is active research and speculation into what caused the Big Bang, but atheists agree it was not a deity.

However, early resistance to the big bang model came from atheistic Soviet Russia -- as the big bang implies a beginning to the universe, this did not fit into the traditional atheistic belief that the universe had always existed, therefore not requiring a deity to create it. It was originally held as proof for theists that the universe was created by a deity -- as the big bang model implies a beginning to time and space. Theistic resistance to the big bang model came later with a rise in literalism in biblical criticism.

Many scientists who believe in the Big Bang Theory are Evolutionists, though not all are. One can believe that God both created the Universe AND laid out the plan for all life in the Big Bang, as opposed to the idea that life evolved randomly after the Big Bang.

Young earth creationist scientists contest the Big Bang Theory stating that it is scientifically unsound [11] [12][13][14][15], though few creationist criticisms are found in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Some Old Earth Creationists and Theistic Evolutionists argue that the Big Bang is in fact mentioned in the Bible. [16] Some Christian apologists who believe in an old earth, such as William Craig use the Big Bang as an apologetic, arguing that it proves that the universe had a beginning. [17]

References

  1. Hubble, E. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Volume 15, Issue 3, pp. 168-173.
  2. Riess, A. G., et al. The Astronomical Journal, Volume 116, Issue 3, pp. 1009-1038.
  3. Perlmutter, S., et al. The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 517, Issue 2, pp. 565-586.
  4. Sloan Digital Sky Survey
  5. Tegmark, M., et al. Physical Review D, vol. 74, Issue 12.
  6. Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe
  7. See, for example, http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0603449
  8. http://www.icr.org/article/343/
  9. http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2004/0601skepticism.asp
  10. http://www.cosmologystatement.org/
  11. Thompson, Bert, Harrub, Brad, and May, Branyon The Big Bang Theory—A Scientific Critique Apologetics Press, May 2003 - 23[5]:32-34,36-47.
  12. Brown, Walt, 2001, Big Bang?
  13. http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/309
  14. http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2047
  15. http://www.icr.org/article/343/
  16. http://www.reasons.org/resources/fff/2000issue03/index.shtml#big_bang_the_bible_taught_it_first
  17. Strobel, Lee. The Case for a Creator. Zondervan, 2004.