Introduction

If you think the answer to this question is obvious, think again. The best minds of physics have studied this question for over a century, and the current answer may surprise you.

In 1826, the astronomer Heinrich Olbers asked, "Why is the sky dark at night?" By his time, physicists had learned enough to realize that, in a stable, infinite universe (one not expanding), with an even distribution of stars, the entire universe should gradually heat up. Think about it — if there are stars emitting energy throughout the universe (energy sources), and if there is no way ultimately to dispose of that energy (energy sinks), then all the objects in the universe must rise in temperature, eventually reaching the temperature of the stars themselves.

Scientists and physicists had to learn quite a lot about the behavior of energy before they were even prepared to ask Olbers' question.

In these pages you will learn the simple physics behind Olbers' question, some of the answers that have been proposed, and the currently accepted answer. You will also discover the connection between a rubber band, your refrigerator, and the universe.