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Rainbow
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I would just like to ask a very elegant question.
What is the shape of the universe?
What is the shape of the universe?
Rainbow said:What is the shape of the universe?
Rainbow said:I would just like to ask a very elegant question.
What is the shape of the universe?
Rainbow said:What I think is that, the universe started with a big bang right? Now, let us take the big bang to be similar to a normal explosion...
And that would be "round" in how many dimensions? Can you still call it a sphere if it has 11 dimensions?ray b said:round
unless some other force limits a given direction
all directions should be equal
so it should be round unless something is changeing it!
ray b said:round
unless some other force limits a given direction
all directions should be equal
so it should be round unless something is changing it!
That only works if you assume the BB occurred inside some sort of preexisting space. According to the mainstream model, the BB created not just energy and mass, it also created all the spacetime dimensions as well. Without an external point of reference, shape is a meaningless concept.Rainbow said:What I think is that, the universe started with a big bang right? Now, let us take the big bang to be similar to a normal explosion. Then, after the big bang, the matter and energy(or for that matter the universe) would have spread out symmetrical about every axis through the point of big bang singularity, thus giving the universe the shape of a sphere, which is now expanding.
Rainbow said:What I think is that, the universe started with a big bang right? Now, let us take the big bang to be similar to a normal explosion. Then, after the big bang, the matter and energy(or for that matter the universe) would have spread out symmetrical about every axis through the point of big bang singularity, thus giving the universe the shape of a sphere, which is now expanding.
SpaceTiger said:Actually, it is space that is flat. In other words, ordinary Euclidean geometry should work in the universe, even on horizon scales. Spacetime is necessarily curved in general relativistic big bang models.
Magister said:Right! I just wanted to point out the meaning of a flat universe. Flat doesn t mean that the shape of the universe is a flat disc.
vld said:It looks like the question was about the SHAPE of the universe but everybody here is discussing its GEOMETRY. The flat geometry can be attributed to different shapes. For example, a sphere of infinite radius has a flat geometry, but still it is a sphere (inlike a torus or a tea pot)
I thought that geometry and topology are concerned with different questions. Of course, the geometry of the universe might be Euclidean or non-Euclidean but this does not liberate us from the question about its shape.
marcus said:In my whole life I never heard of a "sphere of infinite radius"
marcus said:I see no clear distinction between discussing the geometry of space and discussing the shape.
... when one asks about the geometry (which is the same as asking about the shape) one is asking about the METRIC.
Rainbow said:I would just like to ask a very elegant question.
What is the shape of the universe?
ray b said:round
unless some other force limits a given direction
all directions should be equal
so it should be round unless something is changeing it!
Without an external point of reference, shape is a meaningless concept.
That is science; nothing new to anyone here. We manage to plod on.nap said:The reality is no one absolutely knows here... just theories and guesses.
thinker5 said:the universe has the shape of thougt
The purpose of this book is to explore the concept of the shape of the universe and how it has been studied and understood throughout history. It also aims to present the latest theories and research on the shape of the universe and its implications for our understanding of the cosmos.
Scientists use various methods such as observations of cosmic microwave background radiation, measurements of the distribution of galaxies, and mathematical models to determine the shape of the universe. These methods help to paint a picture of the overall structure and geometry of the universe.
Some of the current theories about the shape of the universe include the flat universe theory, the open universe theory, and the closed universe theory. These theories are based on different mathematical models and observations of the universe.
The shape of the universe has a significant impact on our understanding of the cosmos. It can provide insights into the origins of the universe, the expansion of the universe, and the ultimate fate of the universe. It also helps to inform our understanding of fundamental concepts such as dark matter and dark energy.
Yes, there have been several recent discoveries and developments related to the shape of the universe. For example, the Planck satellite mission has provided more precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which has helped to refine our understanding of the shape of the universe. Additionally, ongoing research and observations continue to contribute to our understanding of the shape of the universe.