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June 11, 2009 04:07 AM
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Information can be measured in terms of bits, but mass cannot. However, the mass of the *visible* universe can be estimated by direct observation, and an early estimate was roughly 10^53 kg (first link, based on an observable radius of 18 billion light-years and a critical density of 6 x 10^-27 kg/m^3). Using more recent data (second link, observable radius 13.7 billion light-years and critical density 9.9 x 10^-30 g/cm^3 or about 10^-26 kg/m^3), the mass of the observable universe is closer to 7.4 x 10^52 kg. However, according to current theory, less than 5% of that mass is in the form of ordinary matter (roughly 1 proton per 4 cubic meters); about 23% is dark matter, which can be detected through its gravitational effects, and the remainder consists of "dark energy," which powers the ongoing acceleration of the expansion of the universe.
With regard to the information content of the universe, estimates range from near zero (third link is the article referenced in the fourth link) to 10^91 bits (fifth link) to 10^120 bits (sixth link), with an estimate of 10^100 bits of entropy thrown in for good measure (seventh link).
However, the observable universe is only a tiny fraction of the entire universe, so the above figures need to be multiplied by an unknown but probably extremely large factor to apply to the *entire* universe.
Source(s):
http://www.cs.umass.edu/~immerman/stanford/universe.html
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_matter.html
http://citeseer.ist.psu.edu/cache/papers/cs/25800/http:zSzzSzwww.ufpel.tche...
http://www.advancedphysics.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4402
http://davidgalbraith.org/information-equation-of-state-for-universe/
http://focus.aps.org/story/v9/st27
http://www.sufizmveinsan.com/fizik/holographic.html
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970630c.html
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Source(s):
http://www.cs.umass.edu/~immerman/stanford/universe.html
http://www.nso.edu/
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Answered Question

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How did scientist determine the mass of the Universe?
Scientist know the mass of the known Universe.
In terms of bits its 10 to 250 power.
How did they determine the Mass?
In terms of bits its 10 to 250 power.
How did they determine the Mass?
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| June 11, 2009 10:47 AM |
With regard to the information content of the universe, estimates range from near zero (third link is the article referenced in the fourth link) to 10^91 bits (fifth link) to 10^120 bits (sixth link), with an estimate of 10^100 bits of entropy thrown in for good measure (seventh link).
However, the observable universe is only a tiny fraction of the entire universe, so the above figures need to be multiplied by an unknown but probably extremely large factor to apply to the *entire* universe.
Source(s):
http://www.cs.umass.edu/~immerman/stanford/universe.html
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_matter.html
http://citeseer.ist.psu.edu/cache/papers/cs/25800/http:zSzzSzwww.ufpel.tche...
http://www.advancedphysics.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4402
http://davidgalbraith.org/information-equation-of-state-for-universe/
http://focus.aps.org/story/v9/st27
http://www.sufizmveinsan.com/fizik/holographic.html
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970630c.html
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Other Answers (3)
June 11, 2009 07:43 AM
It's unhelpful to the asker when you answer a question in this manner. If you don't know the answer in the future simply avoid the question. Thank you.
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June 11, 2009 04:43 AM
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2006/KristineMcPherson.shtml that is a really helpful site, since your question was so specific that should really help.
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June 11, 2009 07:49 AM
I am no quantum physician so I personally can't explain it to you Dave. But the University of Massachusetts has posted the fairly straight forward explanation courtesy of the National Solar Observatory. Both as reputable of sources as you'll find on the subject.
Source(s):
http://www.cs.umass.edu/~immerman/stanford/universe.html
http://www.nso.edu/
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June 11, 2009 01:53 PM
The articles gives the number for the mass of the Universe but does not explain how they determined the mass
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