Is the Universe Really Spherical? And What Lies Beyond?

In summary, the mainstream theory of the universe says that it is most likelly infinite in size, but it is unknown how much of it is actually flat.
  • #1
Delzac
389
0
From what i heard(from my brother by the way), Einstein once predicted that the universe is spherifical( i don't know if it is true or not), is the universe really spherical??

if so, then what lies outside our universe??
 
Space news on Phys.org
  • #2
Delzac said:
From what i heard(from my brother by the way), Einstein once predicted that the universe is spherifical( i don't know if it is true or not), is the universe really spherical??

if so, then what lies outside our universe??

Your brother oversimplified what Einstein thought. He thought the universe was "finite but unbounded", and an analogy for this is the surface of a sphere (such as the Earth) which has a finite area but has no boundary. Einstein's theory does not itself predict the shape of the universe, but modern discoveries and measurements suggest that in the large scale it has a "flat" geometry which would argue that it is infinite in extent, but nobody really knows.

It is not necessary to have anything "outside the universe" in either Einstein's original thought or the modern understanding. We are used to seeing spheres - balls - in three space but that is no reason to suppose the universe behaves that way, and the mathematics does just fine without it.
 
  • #3
selfAdjoint said:
Your brother oversimplified what Einstein thought. He thought the universe was "finite but unbounded", and an analogy for this is the surface of a sphere (such as the Earth) which has a finite area but has no boundary. Einstein's theory does not itself predict the shape of the universe, but modern discoveries and measurements suggest that in the large scale it has a "flat" geometry which would argue that it is infinite in extent, but nobody really knows.

It is not necessary to have anything "outside the universe" in either Einstein's original thought or the modern understanding. We are used to seeing spheres - balls - in three space but that is no reason to suppose the universe behaves that way, and the mathematics does just fine without it.

So is it generally accepted that the universe is most likelly infinite if it is flat? It makes sense if this is true since it makes more sense for both space and time to be infinite rather than just time being infinite.

The universe being a threesphere is least likelly, correct?
 
  • #4
Silverbackman said:
So is it generally accepted that the universe is most likelly infinite if it is flat?

No, mainstream theory says very little about the overall topology scale of the universe, other than to set limits on it (>~24 Gigaparsecs).
 
  • #5

1. What is the shape of the universe?

The shape of the universe is a topic of great interest and debate among scientists and astronomers. Currently, the most widely accepted theory is that the universe is flat, meaning it has a Euclidean geometry and is infinite in size. However, there are also theories that suggest the universe may have a curved shape, such as a sphere or a saddle shape.

2. How do scientists determine the shape of the universe?

There are several methods that scientists use to determine the shape of the universe. One common method is by measuring the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is a remnant of the early universe. By analyzing the patterns and fluctuations in this radiation, scientists can gather evidence for the shape of the universe. Other methods include observing the movement and distribution of galaxies and studying the effects of gravitational lensing.

3. Is the shape of the universe constant?

The shape of the universe is not constant and can change over time. According to the theory of cosmic inflation, the universe underwent a rapid expansion in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. This expansion may have caused the overall shape of the universe to change. Additionally, the amount of dark energy in the universe, which is responsible for its expansion, can also affect the shape of the universe.

4. Does the shape of the universe have any implications for its future?

Yes, the shape of the universe can have implications for its future. For example, if the universe is flat, it will continue to expand forever. However, if the universe is closed and has a spherical shape, it will eventually reach a maximum size and then begin to contract in a "Big Crunch." The shape of the universe also has implications for the fate of the universe and the potential for multiple universes.

5. Can we ever know for sure the exact shape of the universe?

While there is currently no definitive answer, scientists continue to study and gather evidence to determine the exact shape of the universe. With advancements in technology and new theories and discoveries, we may one day have a better understanding of the shape of the universe and our place within it.

Similar threads

Replies
24
Views
947
Replies
29
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Cosmology
Replies
15
Views
1K
Replies
50
Views
2K
  • Cosmology
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Cosmology
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
903
  • Cosmology
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top