Is the Universe Flat or Does it Have a Height?

  • Thread starter jhe1984
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Universe
In summary, the universe is thought to be flat in terms of its geometric properties. This does not refer to its physical shape, but rather the way it is measured and understood mathematically. There is no tallest or lowest point in the universe, as these concepts are relative to Earth. Instead, the universe is considered to have a consistent geometry throughout.
  • #1
jhe1984
100
0
As the question hints at, how tall is the universe?

I know it is thought to be flat, but what is its height?

Furthermore, are there regions that are taller than others?

Thanks
 
Space news on Phys.org
  • #2
jhe1984 said:
As the question hints at, how tall is the universe?

I know it is thought to be flat, but what is its height?

Furthermore, are there regions that are taller than others?

Thanks

"Flat" refers to its geometric properties not its physical shape.
 
  • #3
Hmm - not sure I follow. By geometrically "flat" do you mean that any two regions have the same geometric properties, everything else being equal?

Back to the question, isn't there a tallest and lowest point (relative to Earth, I guess) and wouldn't you be able to measure height along these lines?
 
  • #5
I could not explain it better than Space Tiger did. "Flat" does not mean that the universe is shaped like a large disk. "Flat" means that the geometric properties (such as the sum of the angles equaling 180) are Euclidian.
 
  • #6
Cool. Thanks yall
 

1. How do scientists measure the height of the universe?

Scientists use a unit of measurement called a light-year to measure the vast distances of the universe. One light-year is about 5.88 trillion miles, and it is the distance that light can travel in one year.

2. Is the universe infinitely tall?

The universe is not infinitely tall. It is constantly expanding, but it has a finite size. Scientists estimate the observable universe to be about 93 billion light-years in diameter.

3. Can we see the entire height of the universe?

No, we cannot see the entire height of the universe. The observable universe is limited by the distance that light has had time to travel since the Big Bang, estimated to be about 13.8 billion years.

4. How does the height of the universe compare to its width and depth?

The universe is generally considered to be three-dimensional, with height, width, and depth. However, there is evidence to suggest that the universe may actually have more dimensions, such as the concept of "multiverse" in string theory.

5. Will the height of the universe continue to increase?

The universe is constantly expanding, so its height will continue to increase. However, the rate of expansion is currently believed to be slowing down due to the gravitational pull of matter. It is unclear whether the universe will continue to expand forever or eventually collapse.

Similar threads

Replies
54
Views
3K
  • Cosmology
Replies
9
Views
531
Replies
24
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
380
Replies
38
Views
968
Replies
37
Views
3K
  • Cosmology
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
967
Replies
1
Views
948
Back
Top