Can the shape of the universe be inferred from the CMBR?

In summary, the CMBR, or Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, is the residual heat left over from the Big Bang and is the oldest light in the universe. By studying the patterns in the CMBR, scientists can determine the geometry of the universe, with a flat, open, or closed universe being possible options. The CMBR is one of the main pieces of evidence for a flat universe, and data from various space missions support this idea. The CMBR can tell us about the size of the observable universe, estimated to be around 93 billion light-years in diameter. However, the actual size of the entire universe is still unknown. While the data from the CMBR suggests a flat universe, the shape of the
  • #1
goldust
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1
Planck CMBR data http://scienceforseniorcitizens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cosmic-microwave-radiation-google-earth-background1.jpg

COBE, WMAP, Planck compared to each other http://www.scidacreview.org/0704/images/cmb07.jpg

Methinks the distribution of the CMBR intensity as seen from Earth's perspective could indicate the overall shape of the universe. Is so, the greater is the distance between the boundary of the universe and Earth, the less intensity would be the CMBR as seen from Earth, and vice verse. Just as the Earth is not a perfect sphere, the Universe could resemble a sphere but rather than being a perfect sphere, it has intrusions and protrusions at its boundary, which causes the CMBR to deviate from uniformity. The Planck satellite reveals that variations of the CMBR are gradual, with places that are colder tend to be gradually colder than their surrounding areas, and vice versa. Could this suggest the boundary of the universe is almost a sphere but with gradual protrusions and intrusions at its boundary? What do you think? :tongue:
 
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  • #2
Your assumption that the universe has a boundary is not accepted by current theory.
 
  • #3
I think you mean visible universe. It is not a perfect sphere, but it is extremely close to that.
 
  • #4
mfb said:
I think you mean visible universe. It is not a perfect sphere, but it is extremely close to that.

This is correct. I should have specified visible universe. Thanks for the correction. :biggrin:

mathman said:
Your assumption that the universe has a boundary is not accepted by current theory.

A fish tank has a boundary yet fish don't see the boundary. :biggrin: If there are other universes outside our own, their space may push against the boundary of our universe, which causes intrusions inward from the boundary of our universe, and our space may likewise push against their space, which causes protrusions outward from the boundary of our universe.
 
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  • #5
goldust said:
If there are other universes outside our own, their space may push against the boundary of our universe, which causes intrusions inward from the boundary of our universe, and our space may likewise push against their space, which causes protrusions outward from the boundary of our universe.
Please stick to actual science, wild speculations without any background are not allowed here.

The shape of the observable universe can be observed (...), the shape of the whole universe might be inferred, but "universes" "pushing" each other is not a scientific theory.
 
  • #6
mfb said:
Please stick to actual science, wild speculations without any background are not allowed here.

The shape of the observable universe can be observed (...), the shape of the whole universe might be inferred, but "universes" "pushing" each other is not a scientific theory.

I was suggesting a possible cause for protrusions and intrusions of space at the boundary of the universe, supposing such a boundary and protrusions and intrusions exist. Suppose that our own universe is like a fish tank. The water in the tank is not completely calm, but as objects say fish in the tank move around, the water gets swirled around. Likewise, the space in our universe may not be calm but could also be swirling around like water in a fish tank, possibly from movement of galaxies or other bodies suspended in space. But now, suppose the boundary of universe or universes are like clear plastic bags, ones that used to contain water and fish at carnivals, we would not be able to see boundaries of universes or detect swirling around of space, but space could push against the boundary like water can push against a plastic bag, causing intrusions and protrusions of space between universes much like if we put two such bags of water next to each other and move the water about in each bag, the two bags would push against each other, causing intrusions and protrusions about the two bags.
 
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  • #7
Okay, that post is so full of misconceptions that it is pointless to continue here. Please read books or other explanations about the concepts of space, visible universe and universe first before you start speculations.
A good introduction is this balloon analogy thread.
 

1. What is the CMBR?

The CMBR stands for Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. It is the residual heat left over from the Big Bang and is the oldest light in the universe. It is also known as the "afterglow" of the Big Bang.

2. How can the shape of the universe be inferred from the CMBR?

The CMBR provides a snapshot of the universe when it was about 380,000 years old. By studying the patterns in the CMBR, scientists can determine the geometry of the universe. Depending on whether the CMBR is uniform or contains slight variations, it can indicate a flat, open, or closed universe.

3. What evidence supports the idea that the universe is flat?

The CMBR is one of the main pieces of evidence for a flat universe. According to the theory of inflation, the universe underwent a rapid expansion in its early stages, smoothing out any curvature and making it appear flat. Additionally, data from various space missions, such as WMAP and Planck, also support a flat universe.

4. Can the CMBR tell us about the size of the universe?

Yes, the CMBR can tell us about the size of the observable universe. It is currently estimated to be around 93 billion light-years in diameter. However, the actual size of the entire universe is unknown and may be infinite.

5. Has the shape of the universe been definitively determined from the CMBR?

No, the shape of the universe is still a topic of debate and is not definitively determined from the CMBR. While the data from the CMBR strongly suggests a flat universe, more research and data analysis is needed to reach a conclusive answer.

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