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Chapter 24: Problem 2

. What was the Shapley-Curtis "debate" all about? Was a winner declared at the end of the "debate"? Whose ideas turned out to be correct?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Shapley-Curtis debate was about the size and structure of the universe, with Shapley arguing for a Milky Way-centric universe and Curtis arguing for multiple galaxies. No clear winner was declared at the end of the debate. However, Curtis' ideas turned out to be correct - the universe is indeed composed of multiple galaxies, not just the Milky Way.

Step by step solution

01

Context of debate

The Shapley-Curtis debate was a major event in the field of astronomy that occurred in 1920. The debate was between Harlow Shapley and Heber D. Curtis. The main point of contention was the size and structure of the universe. Shapley was arguing that the Milky Way galaxy took up the entire universe, with all other 'nebulae' existing within it. Curtis, on the other hand, believed that these 'nebulae' were actually separate galaxies similar to the Milky Way.
02

Outcome of debate

The debate did not end with a clear winner. However, in the following years, with the advancement of technology and observational capabilities, it became clear that Curtis' understanding of the universe more accurately reflected reality.
03

Whose ideas were correct

As more evidence gathered with the advancement of technology, it eventually became clear that Curtis' belief was more accurate. The observational evidence strongly suggested that 'nebulae' were not local to the Milky Way, but rather separate galaxies themselves.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Are any galaxies besides our own visible with the naked eye from Earth? If so, which one(s)?

It is estimated that the Coma cluster (see Figure 24-21) contains about \(10^{13} \mathrm{M}_{\odot}\) of intracluster gas. (a) Assuming that this gas is made of hydrogen atoms, calculate the total number of intracluster gas atoms in the Coma cluster. (b) The Coma cluster is roughly spherical in shape, with a radius of about \(3 \mathrm{Mpc}\). Calculate the number of intracluster gas atoms per cubic centimeter in the Coma cluster. Assume that the gas fills the cluster uniformly. (c) Compare the intracluster gas in the Coma cluster with the gas in our atmosphere \(\left(3 \times 10^{19}\right.\) molecules per cubic centimeter, temperature \(300 \mathrm{~K}\) ); a typical gas cloud within our own Galaxy (a few hundred molecules per cubic centimeter, temperature \(50 \mathrm{~K}\) or less); and the corona of the Sun \(\left(10^{5}\right.\) atoms per cubic centimeter, temperature \(10^{6} \mathrm{~K}\) ).

What measurements do astronomers make to construct threedimensional maps of the positions of galaxies in space?

Explain why the dark matter in galaxy clusters could not be neutral hydrogen.

Hubble made his observations of Cepheids in M31 using the 100 -inch (2.5-meter) telescope on Mount Wilson. Completed in 1917 , this was the largest telescope in the world when Hubble carried out his observations in 1923. Why was it helpful to use such a large telescope?
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