Abstract
IT is very satisfactory to find that the explanation I have given of the phenomena of the expanding universe can be freed from some of the restrictions which were introduced. The essential point in the explanation, as I pointed out, is that we have to do with an unenclosed system; if the system contains some high velocity particles, it will necessarily expand. Mr. Kosambi points out that the expansion and recession to infinity may also occur under more general conditions. But Mr. Kosambi is scarcely correct in saying that in my explanation “the material particles that form the universe are taken initially to have been enclosed in some finite space”. I used the finite occupied sphere surrounded by infinite empty space as the most striking illustration of the principle (it was the way the explanation originally occurred to me), but as I explicitly pointed out, any ‘initial’ density distribution with a concentration towards one region will give rise to the expansion phenomenon; and for the particular relativistic world-structure which I outlined the initial density-distribution extends throughout infinite Euclidean space.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Cf. Larmor, "Questions in Physical Interdetermination", C.R. du Congrès Internat. des Mathématiciens, 1920, p. 13.
See Einstein, Sitz. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. (1917), 150, and "Relativity", English Trans. 4th edition, 1921, Part III.
Cf. Einstein, loc. cit., Chap. 32, p. 113.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MILNE, E. The Expanding Universe. Nature 130, 508 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/130508a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/130508a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.