Did time exist before the creation of the universe?
436747
What we learn from the book A Brief History of Time is that time and space as spatial parts of the cordinate system can't be separated from one another in a model of an ever expandng Universe. We know, or have a idea, that before the Universe started expanding it had no space cordinates .Hence as time and space cordinates are inseparable it is only safe to assume that time had a start just as the universe was created. \n\nSo the answer to the question is No.
307277
There was no *everything* before the Big Bang. In fact, the phrase 'before the Big Bang' is probably meaningless since time itself began with the Big Bang.\n\nAn analogy may be in order. Model spacetime by a \nsphere with time being  represented by going down \na longitude line and space for a fixed time being\nrepresented by a latitude line. The Big Bang would \nbe represented by the north pole. In this model, \nspace expands until we get to the equator and then \nstarts to contract again until we get to the south \npole, which represents a 'Big Crunch'.\n\nIn this model, ask what is north of the north pole. \nThis is *exactly* like  asking what is before the Big \nBang. There is no real answer because the question\nassumes that time exists before the Big Bang, but \nin fact, time is part of the structure of the universe \nand began at the Big Bang.\n\nIn the real world, the spacial part is three dimensional, \nnot one dimensional like in our model (the circles of \nlatitude). Also, it is likely that the universe\nwill expand forever, so instead of a sphere, a \ntrumpet shape may be more appropriate. But the actual \nmodels used by scientists are generalizations and\nelaborations of models like this toy model.
1156487
The accurate answer to your second question is "not really".  Our current system for measuring time is based on the movements of our planet & our solar system, which of course did not exist in their current state at the beginning.  Those units, however, have been standardized for convenience & accuracy to reference the cesium atom, so can be back-calculated.\n\nThe answer to your first question is that time began at the instant of the so-called 'big bang'.  Before that there was nothing to reference it again, so the passage of time had no meaning or substance.\n\nWeird, huh?
1015241
space-time itself originated in the big bang.  everywhere in the universe was once the big bang, and the whole universe was the big bang.  it is actually a common misconception that the big bang occurred at a specific location.\n\nhttp://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=0009F0CA-C523-1213-852383414B7F0147\nhttp://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni.html\nhttp://universeadventure.org/
199128
The problem is that Humans, think of GOD, from their humble point of view.\nMy dear, the problem in ur question is the word "Before", coz simply, time was created for us, so, we can manage our selves, and u just feel it, coz of the daily rotation of earth around itself, and the annual one around sun. But if u imagined urself, in a room, lighted continouesly, and u don't need food, or else, and u stayed there for long, will u ever be able to tell, wether outside is dark or light, will u ever be able to tell what time is it?!\nThere is no time, there is the Existance. So, no meaning for the word "before".\nGOD is just there.
422670
How did matter come to exist? Obviously, these are not simple questions and throughout our brief history on this planet much time and effort has been spent looking for some clue. Yet, after all this energy has been expended through the BIG BANG, much of what we know is still only speculation. \n\nWhat came before the Big Bang?\nThe standard Big Bang model is singular at the time of the Big Bang, t = 0. This means that one cannot even define time, since spacetime is singular. In some models like the chaotic or perpetual inflation favored by Linde, the Big Bang is just one of many inflating bubbles in a spacetime foam. But there is no possibility of getting information from outside our own one bubble. Thus I conclude that: "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent."
19485
Actually, according to Einstein's general theory of relativity, which is not the one J.R. is referring to, time is developed to explain the force of gravity and the curvature of space-time.  A physicist named Godel developed a postulate in which he proves that time was merely developed to explain.  Time does not behave independently in our universe.  Look up "Godel's incompleteness theorem".
601171
there never was. Now if you mean the beginning of the "Idea" of time.. that's different
1138756
It resulted from the big bang. Time and space and matter and energy all started then. What existed before and why it occurred is for the philosophers to ponder. I'm content with the fact that we don't know everything right now. We might someday though.
12025
no, because time is only a mesurement that we humans have come up with.  if anything, you can't travel through time because there are an infinite number of universes constantly being created.
621334
I am assuming you mean in "historical times" or otherwise it would have to be the "big bang" that supposedly created the known universe.\n\nThat aside, in 1908 (I think it was) in a remote area of Siberia called Tunguska, a huge meteor, comet, or something, alien craft for all anyone knows entered the atmosphere at such high speed it vaporized well above the ground like an "air burst" bomb.  It leveled hundreds of square miles of forest, set fires, killed all wildlife (and any nomads that may have been there) and was heard over most of the future Soviet Union and much of central Asia.  There are lots of old black and white photos taken by Russian exploration teams sent to find out what happened.  That one gets my vote. Search for "1908 Siberian meteor"
75867
According to the Big Bang Theory, time started during the Big Bang, and since there was no time before the big bang, there is no such thing as "before the big bang".
18909
Time is just a concept, it does not really exist. We track time by the movement of celestial objects in the universe and light but time is abstract.
731573
We invented the word "time" yes but that doesn't mean time wasn;t around before humanity. Time presumably began at the start of the big bang and its predicted it will end with the universe. \nReligous people believe in god who has always been around i.e.  *someone* who was around before time and will be around forever after time. \n \nHumanity discovered time, we didn't invent it.
71991
cool question ! i dont believe in time travle , and thats a good point ! thanks
577198
Both space and time were probably 'created' at the Big Bang. Think of it like this. If time itself began at the Big Bang, then there is no 'before the Big Bang'.\n\nAn analogy may be in order. Model spacetime by a \nsphere with time being  represented by going down \na longitude line and space for a fixed time being\nrepresented by a latitude line. The Big Bang would \nbe represented by the north pole. In this model, \nspace expands until we get to the equator and then \nstarts to contract again until we get to the south \npole, which represents a 'Big Crunch'.\n\nIn this model, ask what is north of the north pole. \nThis is *exactly* like  asking what is before the Big \nBang. There is no real answer because the question\nassumes that time exists before the Big Bang, but \nin fact, time is part of the structure of the universe \nand began at the Big Bang.\n\nIn the real world, the spacial part is three dimensional, \nnot one dimensional like in our model (the circles of \nlatitude). Also, it is likely that the universe\nwill expand forever, so instead of a sphere, a \ntrumpet shape may be more appropriate. But the actual \nmodels used by scientists are generalizations and\nelaborations of models like this toy model.
187337
how can something without a boundary, like the universe,  have a center?\nand yes, time is subjective. basically i think it's only a measurement of life.