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1kis probably one of the most important images ever taken is because it significantly expands our observational environment and provides a way of checking the abstract equations that science uses to define our universe against their reality.
Presently scientists need two theories to define our universe.
The first or Einstein’s define the macroscopic properties of the universe, mass, space, time and gravitational forces in terms of the continuous properties of a space-time metric.
While quantum theories define microscopic property of particles, mass and energy in terms of probability functions.
However, for the past 50 years the brightest minds in the scientific community have tried to unify these environments by extending the domain of one to the other without success.
The problem is their domains do not appear to overlap. In other words, quantum theories can only be applied only to the microscopic properties of particles while Einstein’s theories can only be applied to the macroscopic gravitational world of galaxies.
The reason this dichotomy exists may be because Quantum theories were developed by mathematically analyzing the microscopic environment of particles while Einstein’s gravitational and relativistic theories were based on observing the macroscopic world of galaxies.
However, history has shown most if not all viable theories are based on developing an observational understanding of environment and not by mathematically analyzing it.
For example, in the15 hundreds many in the scientific establishment assumed the earth was the center of the solar system. Using a theoretical model based on those assumptions, they were able to mathematically make accurate predictions of the position of the observable planets.
However, as observational technologies advanced and more planets were discovered, the mathematical equations required to predict their positions became more and more complex.
Even after the telescope enabled Galileo to observe some objects in the solar system were orbiting Jupiter not the earth, many did not accept it. They ignored the direct visual evident that the earth was not the center of the solar system and continued to derive more complex mathematical equations, which could accurately predict the position of all objects including those orbiting Jupiter based on the assumption that it was.
What finally caused the shift from a geocentric to a heliocentric perspective was not the fact that they could not make accurate mathematical predictions of the position the objects in the solar system using it, because they could but the direct visual evidence of its inaccuracy provided by the telescope.
This reason, as mentioned earlier most if not all viable theories are by developed by an observational understanding of an environment and not by mathematically analyzing it is because the abstract nature of equations allows them to define a non-existent environment or reality.
For example, scientists before 15th century were able to use the abstract properties of equations based on the nonexistent “reality” that the earth was the center of the universe to predict the positions of the planets. However, what forced them to change was not the fact that they could not accurately predict their positions because as mentioned earlier they still could but the direct observations which showed, in reality the sun not the earth was the center of the solar system.
Similarly today’s scientists can make extremely accurate predictions of the observed properties of our universe many of which are based on abstract mathematical equation.
For example, the Standard Model of Particle Physics mathematically derives the properties of all particles in terms of the conditions which existed at the very beginning of our universe.
However, similar to the geocentric model of the universe it is primarily based on a mathematical not an observational analyzes of the environment it encompasses.
The reason the Hubble Deep Field image may be one of “The Most Important ones ever taken” is because it extends our observational environment to a point very close to the beginning the universe. Therefore, it may provide a way of checking the abstract equations of the Standard Model of Particle Physics against their reality by allowing scientists to observe the conditions very close to the environment it describes.
Later Jeff
Copyright Jeffrey O’Callaghan 2010
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I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.