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Where Have All the Remnants Gone?
Author: Bruce Malone
Stars are spheres
made up primarily of compressed gases that are millions of times larger than the
earth. Like everything else in our universe, they eventually wear out. At a
certain point in the life time of a very massive star, it implodes upon itself
releasing energy exceeding the output from an entire galaxy. This supernova
results in a center that is so dense that it cannot collapse further, and the
rest of the stellar debris spreads outward.
This article is one of many found within Mr. Malone's excellent book, Search
for the Truth.
These super-nova
remnants (the collapsed center and the spreading debris) should be detectable
for millions of years after the implosion. Based on what we currently know about
stars, scientists estimate that a galaxy the size of the Milky Way (our galaxy)
should have one supernova approximately every 25 years. This is based on
historical observations over the last 2000 years. If our galaxy is 10 to 20
billion years old, millions of supernova remnants actually observed indicates
the age of our galaxy. However, if Dr. Humphreys is correct (that time has moved
in fast forward for distance galaxies during the formation of the universe),
then only those remnants relatively close to earth are of significance in
revealing the age of the universe near Earth's location.
Theoretical models
suggest that the expanding debris from a supernova would go through several
stages as the matter and energy disperses. During the first few hundred years
after a supernova, material is hurtled outward at thousands of kilometers per
second. Later a blast wave forms, emitting powerful radio waves for 10,000 more
years. During the final stage the material becomes so spread out that only heat
energy is detectible.
Although opinions
vary fairly significantly, scientists can estimate approximately how many
supernovas should be visible from each stage of development. Even if supernova
remnants last for an average of only 55,000 years, we should be able to detect
many that have exploded in our galaxy. Naturally those who have a bias for an
old universe will tend to explain away the lack of remnants based on an
inability to detect them. First stage supernovas are hard to detect because of
the massive number of stars in the plain of second stage supernovas we have been
able to detect is an indication of the actual detectability throughout history.
Most experts seem
to agree that one supernova every 25 years in a galaxy our size is within
reason. Therefore, if our galaxy is in excess of 100,000 years old, and the
remnants last an average of 55,000 years, there should be 55,000 years divided
by 25 supernova/year=2,200 supernova remnants out there. If we can only detect
1/2 of those remnants, there should still be 1,100 detectable. However, if our
galaxy is only 10,000 years old, the number of second stage supernova remnants
actually detected is very revealing as to the true age of our galaxy. Only
around 200 have been found. The chart graphically illustrates which theory best
explains the observable data.
This is one more
piece of evidence which indicates that the earth and the universe are far
younger than the assumptions of evolution allow. Indeed, the vast majority of
dating methods indicate a relatively young earth.
Copyright 2007 CSE Ministry
http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=38
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