Question

what are the advantages and disadvantages of using hubbles law to determine distances?

Answer 1

1)Velocity (v) determinations for galaxies, based on the red-shift of starlight, may well be accurate. The universe could have been created in an expanding mode for stability. Of course, this light evidence comes from deep space where our knowledge of conditions is limited.

2)Distance (d) determinations based on Cepheid variables (millions of light years) could also be quite accurate. More remote distances (billions of light years) based on the Hubble law may be somewhat accurate, although limited by the uncertainty of H .

3)The actual Hubble law, v = HD, may be valid today. A value of H in the range 50-100 may well describe the present-day universe. If valid, however, the expression has existed only since the heavens were supernaturally spread out.

4)The use of inverse H to approximate universe age must be rejected. This method assumes a uniform universe expansion over time. The method also assumes that H has been more or less constant since the beginning. In the creation view it clearly has not been constant.

50The use of the ratio c/H to measure the maximum size of the universe must also be rejected. This method assumes that H has remained largely constant and that galaxy recession has been uniform over a vast time period.

6)A creationist prediction for consideration is that the universe may be far different in size than cosmologists believe. In view of the number of galaxies in space, this size certainly must be larger rather than smaller. In fact, the physical universe may be near-infinite in size, if for no other reason than that “the heavens declare the glory of God”

The Hubble law has been called the greatest contribution to modern astronomy. It describes a general understanding of the expansion of the universe. At the same time, however, the gross uncertainty in H shows the limited understanding of basic details such as galaxy distance, and universe age and size. Clearly there need be no embarrassment in the creation position that the universe is much younger than commonly thought.
Origin theories continually come and go, and “constants” like H wax and wane in magnitude. How refreshing is the creation view, in contrast, where there are absolutes guaranteed by the Creator Himself!