What is the Role of Subspace in Sci-Fi Universes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter revan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Subspace
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of 'subspace' as depicted in various science fiction universes, particularly in relation to its existence and role in phenomena like wormholes and faster-than-light (FTL) travel. Participants explore the term's usage in popular media and its implications in theoretical physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that 'subspace' may refer to a dimension through which wormholes operate, allowing travel between distant points in space.
  • Others clarify that 'subspace' is a term from science fiction and does not correspond to a physical reality, contrasting it with mathematical definitions of subspaces in geometry and topology.
  • A participant argues that wormholes do not tunnel through a separate space but are instead complex curvatures within spacetime itself, as described by general relativity.
  • There is mention of 'hyperspace' and 'subspace' being used in visual representations of gravitational effects, indicating that these terms may serve more as literary devices than scientific concepts.
  • Another viewpoint is that 'subspace' and 'hyperspace' are narrative tools used in science fiction to facilitate FTL travel and communication, suggesting that their existence is more about storytelling than scientific accuracy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature and existence of 'subspace,' with some treating it as a fictional construct while others attempt to relate it to theoretical physics concepts. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity and implications of 'subspace' in both science fiction and real-world physics.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of 'subspace' and 'hyperspace,' as well as the assumptions about their roles in theoretical frameworks versus their narrative functions in science fiction. The relationship between these concepts and established physics remains ambiguous.

revan
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
I have heard the term 'subspace' repeated many a time in various science fiction TV shows, Star Trek and Stargate the most notable. What is this subspace they refer to, does it really exist. Thankyou.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I think that it may be the "space" that wormholes cut through to emerge on the other side of our "space"
 
revan said:
have heard the term 'subspace' repeated many a time in various science fiction TV shows, Star Trek and Stargate the most notable. What is this subspace they refer to, does it really exist. Thankyou.

It's strictly a science fiction term, in this use. In geometry or topology a subspace is any subset of a space that is a space itself. For example any plane is a subspace of three dimensional space.

hix said:
I think that it may be the "space" that wormholes cut through to emerge on the other side of our "space"

No, wormholes don't tunnel through anything. This may be one of the hardest ideas to grasp: the curvature in general relativity is intrinsic; it only involves spacetime itself, and doesn't require embedding spacetime in any higher dimensional space. So curved features of spacetime, including wormholes, don't go "through" anything, they are just complex curvatures within spacetime.
 
I've often seen the term 'hyperspace' and 'subspace' used, but only in 2d flat pictures of gravitational effects. They are just representive tho.
 
"Subspace" and "hyperspace" are literary inventions that are invoked to allow the transmission of information and the transport of masses through space at FTL speeds in TV shows and movies. Star Trek (Gunsmoke in outer space) would not have worked as a series without these "cheats".
 

Similar threads

The Potential of Sci-Fi Weapons: Could We Build Them?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
What features in today's sci-fi do you think will become reality?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Can Hard Sci-Fi Incorporate Fantastical Elements Successfully?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Writing: Input Wanted "Spacetime Drive" idea for sci-fi series of shorts
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Modern Sci-Fi Books and Their Apparent Obsession with Brain Implants
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
16K
MHB What Is Required to Prove a Subset is a Vector Space?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
What kind of telescope can see planets in other galaxies?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Are There Sci-Fi Movies Similar to Oppenheimer?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
  • Poll Poll
Writing: Input Wanted Designing the Nuclear-Fusion Reactor for my Generation Ship
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Warp Drive = Artificial Gravity?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K