ElwoodBlues · M
Nope. Not in space nor in time. I majored in physics & studied cosmology. There's plenty of evidence in favor of an expanding curved spacetime that began with the big bang.
On the other hand, infinite universe theories need to explain why the sky is dark at night and why outer space is cold. This is a problem for infinite universe theories because in an infinite universe, any direction you look would eventually intersect the surface of a star and thus be blindingly bright. Even if you posit dust preventing us from seeing too far, that dust would heat up to glow incandescent due to all the stars heating it up.
In short, the evidence strongly favors the big bang universe described elsewhere under this question by @DrWatson.
On the other hand, infinite universe theories need to explain why the sky is dark at night and why outer space is cold. This is a problem for infinite universe theories because in an infinite universe, any direction you look would eventually intersect the surface of a star and thus be blindingly bright. Even if you posit dust preventing us from seeing too far, that dust would heat up to glow incandescent due to all the stars heating it up.
In short, the evidence strongly favors the big bang universe described elsewhere under this question by @DrWatson.
DrWatson · 70-79, M
Here is, to the best of my understanding, the standard theory that cosmologists accept currently.
The only way to talk about it without using ridiculously advanced mathematics is by analogy, so imagine a two-dimensional universe. (Why I am resorting to this analogy will make sense, hopefully, by the end of this post.)
In this fictional universe, everything exists in a flat plane. It makes no sense to talk of what is "above" or "below" the plane. (That kind of talk would be analogous to asking what is "outside" our three dimensions.)
Your question would still make sense in such a universe. Does the plane extend forever in all directions? Or is it finite? And in the latter case, does that mean there is "boundary"?
But there is another possibility. Perhaps that universe only seems flat over short distances, but in reality it is curved , and it is the surface of a sphere.
Again, it makes no sense to ask what is inside or outside the sphere. The universe is only the surface. Intelligent beings living in this curved 2-dimensional space would not be able to visualize this "extra dimension". (Likewise our 3-dimensional universe would be "curved" in some abstract sense that we can not physically visualize.)
And, that universe is expanding. But that means that the sphere is inflating like a balloon. So the universe, the surface of the sphere, is getting bigger and bigger. Stars in that universe are all moving apart from one another, and yet there is no "center" of the universe on the surface of the sphere. And thus, you can travel forever in what appears to be a "straight line" in that universe and never reach an edge, and yet the universe is bounded.
Actually, for us in the real universe the situation is more complicated because time is also considered a dimension, and so we are said to live in four-dimensional spacetime, but that four-dimensional entity is not "flat", it is curved.
And some scientists think that the expansion will slow down and eventually reverse, and the universe will in the long term collapse to a single point.
The "big bang" theory is that we started as a single point and then suddenly started expanding (in the sense of being on an expanding surface of a higher dimensional balloon). It might be that the universe exists in an infinitely long cycle of big bangs and big "crunches".
I am probably incorrect in some details (and there are some other complications that I am skipping over), but that is my best understanding of what cosmologists are saying. I am not a physicist or astronomer.
The only way to talk about it without using ridiculously advanced mathematics is by analogy, so imagine a two-dimensional universe. (Why I am resorting to this analogy will make sense, hopefully, by the end of this post.)
In this fictional universe, everything exists in a flat plane. It makes no sense to talk of what is "above" or "below" the plane. (That kind of talk would be analogous to asking what is "outside" our three dimensions.)
Your question would still make sense in such a universe. Does the plane extend forever in all directions? Or is it finite? And in the latter case, does that mean there is "boundary"?
But there is another possibility. Perhaps that universe only seems flat over short distances, but in reality it is curved , and it is the surface of a sphere.
Again, it makes no sense to ask what is inside or outside the sphere. The universe is only the surface. Intelligent beings living in this curved 2-dimensional space would not be able to visualize this "extra dimension". (Likewise our 3-dimensional universe would be "curved" in some abstract sense that we can not physically visualize.)
And, that universe is expanding. But that means that the sphere is inflating like a balloon. So the universe, the surface of the sphere, is getting bigger and bigger. Stars in that universe are all moving apart from one another, and yet there is no "center" of the universe on the surface of the sphere. And thus, you can travel forever in what appears to be a "straight line" in that universe and never reach an edge, and yet the universe is bounded.
Actually, for us in the real universe the situation is more complicated because time is also considered a dimension, and so we are said to live in four-dimensional spacetime, but that four-dimensional entity is not "flat", it is curved.
And some scientists think that the expansion will slow down and eventually reverse, and the universe will in the long term collapse to a single point.
The "big bang" theory is that we started as a single point and then suddenly started expanding (in the sense of being on an expanding surface of a higher dimensional balloon). It might be that the universe exists in an infinitely long cycle of big bangs and big "crunches".
I am probably incorrect in some details (and there are some other complications that I am skipping over), but that is my best understanding of what cosmologists are saying. I am not a physicist or astronomer.
I think so
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
I have often wondered that. The current technology keeps pushing back any boundaries we seem to find,. I asked AI:
We do not know for sure if the universe is finite or infinite. While the part we can see—the observable universe—is finite with a radius of about 46 billion light-years, the whole universe beyond that boundary may go on forever or loop back on itself.The Observable vs. The WholeObservable Limit: We can only see light that has traveled to us since the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.Total Size: Because space expanded while light traveled, our horizon is a sphere about 92 billion light-years across.Beyond the Edge: Measurements show the universe is very close to "flat," which makes an infinite universe a strong possibility, but a massive finite loop remains entirely unproven.Shapes and SizesInfinite Flat Plane: Space could stretch out endlessly in all directions like a flat sheet of paper.Finite Loop (Torus/Sphere): Space could be finite in volume but have no boundary or edge, similar to walking around the surface of Earth or a 3D doughnut.Current Data: Telescopes like those mapping the Cosmic Microwave Background have found no repeating patterns or borders, meaning if it is finite, it is vastly larger than the part we can see.
We do not know for sure if the universe is finite or infinite. While the part we can see—the observable universe—is finite with a radius of about 46 billion light-years, the whole universe beyond that boundary may go on forever or loop back on itself.The Observable vs. The WholeObservable Limit: We can only see light that has traveled to us since the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.Total Size: Because space expanded while light traveled, our horizon is a sphere about 92 billion light-years across.Beyond the Edge: Measurements show the universe is very close to "flat," which makes an infinite universe a strong possibility, but a massive finite loop remains entirely unproven.Shapes and SizesInfinite Flat Plane: Space could stretch out endlessly in all directions like a flat sheet of paper.Finite Loop (Torus/Sphere): Space could be finite in volume but have no boundary or edge, similar to walking around the surface of Earth or a 3D doughnut.Current Data: Telescopes like those mapping the Cosmic Microwave Background have found no repeating patterns or borders, meaning if it is finite, it is vastly larger than the part we can see.
GerOttman · 70-79, M
I believe that infinity exists however the universe as we know it is finite.
PatientlyWaiting25 · 46-50, F
PatientlyWaiting25 · 46-50, F
@GerOttman I wouldn't blame him if he did tbh
Babal · 46-50, M
@PatientlyWaiting25 because of an AntiChrist🤔?
AceOfSpades · 36-40, M
The universe started, therefore it will end at some point. A new universe may start up.
We are still being flung through space after the "Big Bang". Who knows, maybe space has collision on an invisible wall (like the playspace on a video game), and everything will splat into it at some point.🤣
We are still being flung through space after the "Big Bang". Who knows, maybe space has collision on an invisible wall (like the playspace on a video game), and everything will splat into it at some point.🤣
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Since space is curved, thats almost an impossible concept to grasp. A Mobius strip is infinite.. or is it?😷
If it's not, what is beyond it?
Oneofthestormboys · 56-60, M
@Mindfulness Right? Unless our perception of it all is fundamentally wrong…
rinkydinkydoink · M
Where would the measurement start?
PinkStarburst · 56-60, F
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@val70 Probably . But who has the time? Seriously, I read on sujects now that I can use in my daily life or to directly assist those around me. Understanding string theory just doesnt get a can of beans open..😷
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@val70 Having spend much of the last decade caring for my wife and managing the home, I have spent the past 18 months getting my own health back into order. I should have that done by years end. So while I agree the question is interesting, it is above my pay grade, in that it cant be applied to my daily life like reading up on the best local cataract surgeon or finding a good local podiatrist can. And next year I plan to start getting out to see more of my country that I have not done for some years now, with the time I have left..😷
Northwest · M
No.