Faszination Universum: Die Reise zum Rand der Welt | Harald Lesch | Ganze Folge Terra X
Terra X History・22 minutes read
The text explores the infinite and limitless nature of the universe, challenging traditional scientific boundaries through historical figures like Eratosthenes, Giordano Bruno, and Henrietta Leavitt. It highlights the ongoing debate about the universe's potential infinite or finite nature, with astronomers measuring the observable universe's flatness while continuing to research and explore its mysteries.
Insights
- Eratosthenes accurately calculated Earth's circumference in the 3rd century BC by measuring shadow lengths, influencing scientific thought for centuries.
- Giordano Bruno's persecution for proposing an infinite universe in the 16th century reflects the clash between scientific exploration and religious dogma, highlighting the struggle for acceptance of revolutionary ideas throughout history.
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What is the significance of Eratosthenes' calculations?
Eratosthenes accurately calculated Earth's circumference.
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Summary
00:00
"Exploring Infinite Universe: From Eratosthenes to Bruno"
- The universe is considered limitless and infinite, challenging traditional scientific boundaries.
- The cosmos' vastness is explored through the lens of a large refractor in Potsdam with Professor Harald Lesch.
- Voyager 1 and 2, launched in 1977, are the most distant man-made objects, traveling over 18 billion kilometers.
- The probes aim to deliver signals from the space between stars, revealing unimagined cosmic dimensions.
- Eratosthenes, in the 3rd century BC, calculated the Earth's circumference through observation and rationality.
- Eratosthenes' method involved measuring shadow lengths in Alexandria and Syene to determine Earth's curvature.
- The scholar's calculations accurately determined the Earth's circumference at 40,000 kilometers.
- The ancient Greek worldview of a domed universe persisted for over 1,500 years, influencing scientific thought.
- Giordano Bruno, in the 16th century, faced persecution for proposing a limitless universe, challenging the church's worldview.
- Bruno's belief in an infinite universe conflicted with the church's geocentric model, leading to his imprisonment by the Holy Inquisition.
21:18
"Giordano Bruno to Hubble: Universe's Evolution"
- Giordano Bruno, a church father, is accused of heresy at 28 and flees Italy, traveling Europe for spiritual acceptance.
- Bruno believes in an infinite universe reflecting God's power, leading to his constant relocation due to offending religious communities.
- He studies various philosophical and scientific theories, gaining respect and sponsors for his wisdom.
- Bruno's ideas about the cosmos, including the sun as one of many stars, are considered absurd at the time.
- Bruno's belief in an infinite number of planets and beings like us leads to his torture and eventual burning at the stake.
- Henrietta Leavitt's work on periodically changing stars allows for measuring distances in the universe based on brightness.
- Leavitt's method, posthumously used by Edwin Hubble, reveals the vastness of the universe beyond the Milky Way.
- The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, overcomes initial nearsightedness with corrective optics, providing unprecedented deep space images.
- Hubble's exploration reveals galaxies billions of light-years away, capturing signals up to 12 billion years old.
- Despite technical limitations, Hubble remains a groundbreaking tool, allowing humanity to glimpse the edge of the observable universe and fueling ongoing curiosity and exploration.
41:41
Universe: Infinite or Finite? Radius 10^86 meters.
- The universe could be infinite, with a faster-than-light rocket never reaching an edge, or it could be curved like a ball, making it finite. Astronomers measure the observable universe, which is flat, but debate continues on whether the entire universe is finite or infinite. The universe's estimated radius is 10^86 meters, prompting ongoing research and exploration to uncover its mysteries and potential boundaries.
