Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

expanding universe theory

 - 2 dictionary results
ex·pand·ing universe theory   (ĭk-spān'dĭng)   
n.  
  1. The cosmological theory holding that the universe is expanding, based on the interpretation of the color shift in the spectra of all the galaxies as being the result of the Doppler effect and indicating that all galaxies are moving away from one another.

  2. The cosmogonical theory holding that a violent eruption from a singularity led to the formation of elementary particles, the subsequent formation of hydrogen and helium, and the dispersion of the galaxies from these elements.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
expanding universe theory   (ĭk-spān'dĭng)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The cosmological theory based on the work of Edwin Hubble that holds that the universe is expanding. Central to the theory is the interpretation of the color shift in the spectra of all observed galaxies as being the result of the Doppler effect, indicating that the galaxies are moving away from one another. According to the theory, galaxies are not moving through space but rather with space as it expands. The expansion of the universe implies that all of the matter of the universe was once concentrated in one place, which lends support to the big bang theory.

  2. The cosmogonical theory holding that a violent eruption from a singularity led to the formation of elementary particles, the subsequent formation of hydrogen and helium, and the dispersion of the galaxies from these elements.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see expanding universe theory on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: