If there is one word related to scientific curiosity, it is “why”. Why is the universe expanding? Why are the rise in cancer cases among young people? Why is the sky blue?
In contrast, it is rare to pay much attention to questions that begin with “when.” Certainly, the universe began 13.8 billion years ago, our planet began 4.5 billion years ago, or Homo sapiens It evolved 300,000 years ago. However, these confident statements hide a lot of scientific conspiracy, mystery, and uncertainty. That may all be strange, well, why? Why not focus on “when” a little more?
Ask when we force us to sharpen our thinking, carefully define our terminology, and think about what the beginnings really look like. In this spirit, addressing seven of the most important “when” questions in a special package that begins here is “When did time begin? Tip: It wasn’t a big bang.” Each piece indicates “When?” It could be one of the most interesting questions you can ask.
Ask when we have already taught us so much about the epic sweep of universe history
To give an example, I’ve recently begun to see that the first galaxy appeared much earlier than you could imagine. The “when” here dramatically changes not only the early universe but also how the chemical elements that took place in order to create life were born. Without “when,” there is no “way,” and certainly no “why.”
Science is increasingly well equipped to investigate when things happened. Distant past dates can be inferred using evidence from radioisotopes or by extrapolating from known points in history. Our special feature reminds us that we have already asked what we have told you about the epic sweep of space and earthly history, from the switch on the first star to the first life of this planet. It’s something.
Of course, why is a key part of scientific curiosity, and asking what we do frequently, but let us not give it all the glory. If not now…
This article is part of a special series that explores seven of the biggest chronological challenges of all time. To read other stories in this series, come back today later:
When did the time begin? Tip: It wasn’t a big bang
Why it’s so difficult to know why Homo sapiens became a clear species
When did the first galaxy form? Much faster than we thought
tomorrow:
When did life begin on Earth? New evidence reveals shocking stories
When did plate tectonics begin? Problems are very important for childhood
We reveal a fundamentally different view of the origins of civilization.
Why geologists cannot agree when the Anthropocene era began
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Source: www.newscientist.com
