Is the Universe Expanding Into Nothing?

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The discussion centers on whether the universe is a three-dimensional sphere expanding into nothing. It is clarified that while the universe could be spherical, it is not expanding into anything. The concept of the universe expanding into nothing is differentiated from the idea of a sphere expanding. Current understanding suggests that the universe's density is near critical density, indicating it is flat rather than open or closed. This highlights the complexity of cosmic expansion and the nature of the universe.
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Is our universe a 3 sphere expanding in time into nothing?

OR

i
 
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Well, there is no real answer to your question at present. Yes, the universe could be a sphere, but it would not be expanding into anything. Note that this is not the same as saying the sphere is expanding into nothing! However, currently we think that the density of the universe is very close to the critical density; that is, the universe is flat (as opposed to open or closed).
 

Thread 'Estimates — True Size of the Universe?'

I always thought it was odd that we know dark energy expands our universe, and that we know it has been increasing over time, yet no one ever expressed a "true" size of the universe (not "observable" universe, the ENTIRE universe) by just reversing the process of expansion based on our understanding of its rate through history, to the point where everything would've been in an extremely small region. The more I've looked into it recently, I've come to find that it is due to that "inflation"...
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