The center of the infinite universe

In summary, the sun may not be the center of our galaxy, and we don't know what the shape of the universe is. It may be a sphere or it may be much larger than we can see. The universe is temporally finite, and we cannot determine if it has a center.
  • #1
AnthonyFB
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I just recently discovered that the sun may be the center of the galaxy and what not, but if the universe is infinite, there is no center. furthermore, dealing with the outer limits of the universe, what is the shape of the universe? it can be a sphere? wouldn't this mean that the terms circle, square, etc., being used to describe the shape of the infinite universe are erroneous and rather outdated?
 
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  • #2
AnthonyFB said:
I just recently discovered that the sun may be the center of the galaxy and what not,
No, our sun is pretty far out to the side. This link has an image that gets you an idea of where our sun lies:
http://www.star.le.ac.uk/educ/ourgalaxy.html [Broken]

(note: this is, of course, not an actual image of our galaxy, because we're in it! It's another galaxy that has similar structure to our own.)

AnthonyFB said:
furthermore, dealing with the outer limits of the universe, what is the shape of the universe?
We don't know what the overall shape of our universe is. There is a horizon that limits our vision, due to how our universe has expanded with time. Because of this horizon, the most we can say is that our universe is significantly larger than the part of it we can see. But we don't know what the overall shape is.
 
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  • #3
We can safely say the universe is at least 13.7 bly in all directions from earth. We cannot deduce if it is larger [due to the horizon thing chalnoth noted]. It may curve back upon itself, or be utterly flat out to infinity. There is no known experiment [or observation] known to date capable of resolving that issue. We do, however, know the observable universe is temporally finite.
 
  • #4
To determine center we need peripheries. An infinite universe by definition has no peripheries. Therefore it can have no center. Actually, it's even questionable that such a universe could even exist at all.
 
  • #5


I can understand the confusion and curiosity surrounding the center and shape of the universe. The concept of an infinite universe is still a subject of debate and research in the scientific community. While it is true that the sun may be the center of our galaxy, it does not necessarily mean that it is the center of the entire universe.

In fact, the concept of a center in an infinite universe is a bit paradoxical. If the universe is truly infinite, then there is no specific point that can be considered the center. Every point would be the center, and there would be no boundaries or edges. Therefore, the idea of a center in an infinite universe becomes irrelevant.

As for the shape of the universe, it is also a topic of ongoing research and discussion. The most widely accepted theory is that the universe is flat, meaning it has a constant curvature and does not have a defined shape like a sphere or a cube. However, this does not mean that the terms circle, square, etc. are outdated. They are still useful for describing the local geometry of the universe, but they do not accurately represent the overall shape of the universe.

In conclusion, while the idea of a center and a specific shape for the universe may seem intuitive, these concepts become more complex when dealing with an infinite and expanding universe. It is important to continue exploring and studying the universe to gain a better understanding of its true nature.
 

What is the center of the infinite universe?

The center of the infinite universe is a theoretical concept that refers to the point at which the universe began expanding during the Big Bang. It is not a physical location that can be pinpointed, as the universe has been expanding in all directions since its inception.

How do scientists determine the center of the infinite universe?

Scientists do not have a definitive way to determine the center of the infinite universe. This is because the universe is constantly expanding, making it impossible to determine a fixed point of origin. However, some theories suggest that the center may be found by studying cosmic microwave background radiation and the distribution of matter in the universe.

Is the center of the infinite universe the same as the center of the observable universe?

No, the center of the infinite universe and the center of the observable universe are two separate concepts. The observable universe is the portion of the entire universe that we can see from Earth, while the infinite universe encompasses all of space and time. The center of the observable universe is constantly changing as the universe expands, while the center of the infinite universe remains a theoretical concept.

Does the center of the infinite universe have a physical location?

No, the center of the infinite universe does not have a physical location. As mentioned before, the universe has been expanding in all directions since the Big Bang, so there is no fixed point that can be identified as the center. It is important to note that the concept of the center of the infinite universe is still debated and may change as our understanding of the universe evolves.

Why is the concept of the center of the infinite universe important?

The concept of the center of the infinite universe is important because it helps scientists better understand the origins and expansion of the universe. It also plays a role in theories and models that attempt to explain the structure and evolution of the universe. Additionally, studying the center of the infinite universe can provide insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which are still poorly understood by scientists.

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