- The universe is flat, hyperbolic, or spherical
- The shape of the universe depends on the curvature of space
- The shape of the universe will determine whether space is finite or infinite
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- How the shape of the universe is determined
- Is the universe infinite?
Most objects we can see in space, such as stars and planets, are spherical, but does this also apply to the universe as a whole? Is the universe spherical too or does it have another shape? There are three possible shapes in the universe: flat, hyperbolic, and spherical. The shape of the universe depends on its curvature. Zero curvature means flat, negative curvature means hyperbolic, and positive curvature means superficial. Which of these three forms describes our universe?
How the shape of the universe is determined
The three possible shapes of the universe, depending on the value of the curvature. NASA
Determining the shape of the universe is no easy task. After all, the universe is unimaginably giant, and therefore determining its shape is difficult. In order to determine the shape of the universe, scientists must calculate the distance to the farthest regions of space that we can see, and then determine the curvature along that distance. The farthest we can physically see is cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), more than 13.7 billion light-years away. The CMBR is the oldest known light in the universe and, as far as we know, is the first form of light after the Big Bang. Thus, the CMBR is the maximum possible distance we can see.
To determine the curvature of space, scientists must draw a giant triangle. The base of the triangle is the Earth’s orbit around the sun, while the two lines connected to the base are the distance to the CMBR. By knowing the size of the Earth’s orbit and the distance to the CMBR, scientists can determine the curvature of these lines. In calculating curvature, scientists can determine the shape of the universe depending on whether the curvature is negative, positive, or zero.
Although the exact shape of the universe is still widely debated among scientists, CMBR observations have revealed that our universe has a curvature of zero, meaning that the universe is flat. However, don’t think that a flat universe is as flat as a sheet of paper. Rather, a flat universe is still three-dimensional. Also, the universe could be so large that any attempt to determine its shape is futile. After all, a large universe that has curvature will seem indistinguishable from one that does not, assuming it is large enough.
Is the universe infinite?
The shape of the universe determines whether or not the universe is finite or infinite in its extent. To describe the topography of space, scientists use the term delimitation to describe the size of the universe. For example, a universe that has no limits is infinite, while a universe that has limits would be finite. Whether or not the universe has limits depends on its shape. For example, a spherical universe would be compact and have limits, so it would be finite. Meanwhile, a flat universe can be infinite or finite. If the universe is really flat, as most data suggest, space can be infinite or finite.
Aidan Remple July 17, 2022 in Science