Is the Universe Spherical, Cylindrical, or Something Else?

[Einstiensqd]

What is the shape of the universe? Judging by general relativity, the shape of the universe could be roughly spherical, and also roughly cylindrical. Another interesting thing is that the universe actually could be static and un-expanding or contracting.
Imagine the universe like the earth, spherical. Now, imagine the galaxies as tectonic plates. As they go farther away, we can't see their light as well, but in turn, the universe does not need to expand.

 

[RuroumiKenshin]

When the singularity (from the Big Bang) evaporated, then one can easily hypothesize that it may have evaporated in a spherical manner.

On the other hand, the shape could very well be a cylinderical shape. From the point of the BB, the increase in entropy, aka time, would only be in one direction.

 

[Einstiensqd]

I'm not a big fan of the Big Bang. To many complications with it, and what about general relativity in it??!

 

[chroot]

The universe does not have a shape. Many people visualize it as a sphere embedded in a higher-dimensional manifold, but this is not necessary, and is probably misleading.

The Big Bang theory is supported by a vast preponderance of evidence. Currently, there is no other theory compatible with the results of observational cosmology experiments like WMAP.

I have no idea why you think general relativity is incompatible with the Big Bang model, but you're wrong.

- Warren

 

[The Grimmus]

well i know little about this but i would think a sphere because the center of teh universe is suposed to have extream gravity or as Homer Simpson siad it oculd be doghnut shaped