Is the universe expanding? If so what is it expanding into?

Question

I think i'm scared.

Answer 1

You, my dear, have struck upon the very question that scientists and philosophers alike have been battling with for centuries. Where did we come from, and where are we going? What's beyond the boundary of our universe?

Physicists sit in a few very different camps in regards to this question. Some think that the universe is, in fact, infinite in size - that is, it simply goes on forever and has no boundary. Others think that it's finite in size, but it has no boundary. This is known as the "no boundary proposal", and means that spacetime is shaped kinda like the surface of the Earth - a sphere. Supposing that you could travel far enough, in one direction, you would end up right back where you started.

Other theories about the cosmology of our universe include the multiuniverse theory, which is quickly gathering steam in the astrophysics community. This theory states, in a number of different ways, the same essential concept - that our universe is not a solitary one. One multiverse theory states that our universe is situated on a three-dimensional brane (like a flat tortilla) that floats with others in a sea of higher-dimensional space (which physicists call "The Bulk"). Other branes containing other universes float just below ours, but we can't get to them - we're trapped on our lower-dimensional brane, unable to get out. Another theory states that our universe is only one in a constantly renewing chain of universes, in which new ones bud off from old ones.

But, what is the universe expanding into, if it's expanding? The answer: nobody knows. Some think it's a higher-dimensional realm, and others think it's just... nothing. But, when you get down to it, we have no idea what's beyond the boundary of our universe, or even if there's a boundary to begin with. With the technology of today, it's impossible to find out. Maybe someday we'll be able to manipulate spacetime to such a degree as to allow us travel beyond the fringes of our universe. Out there, though, there could be alternate laws of physics. If the laws of physics change, then existence out there would be impossible.

Philosophers have just as hard a time thinking about it. What's beyond the edge of the unknown? If we're floating in a bulk to higher-dimensionality, what's beyond that? Does it progress infinitely? And, if the no boundary proposal is right, how can something simply exist forever? What quantifies forever? Our minds are geared to think that if something exists, it has to be made. But, how does our universe fit into this? If our universe has existed forever, where did it come from?

These questions confound the mind, and have for hundreds of years.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The expansion of the universe can be thought of by thinking of the universe as a balloon. The solar system is a spec on the balloon's surface. And the universe expands in a manner, as if some one was blowing air into the balloon. Thus the spec (solar system) on the baloon is moving away from all other specs present on the surface (for example the Alpha Centura, the nearest star from the sun).
And hence the universe is expanding into a greater sphere than it currently is.

Answer 3

Vincent G says my guess is as good as anyones, so even though I know nothing about physics, heres a theory. Someone (an English teacher, no less) once encouraged me to picture the universe, not as an infinite void with planets and stuff in it, but matter in itself. Outside the bounds of the universe (if it has bounds) is just void, ie pure nothingness. The void goes on infinitely, but, of course, in this void there could be other universes, or god, or big pumpkins or whatever. This theory would say if the universe is expanding, its expanding into infinite void. But I'd like to thank Astrophysician for his/her more learned answer...

Answer 4

Yes, the space of the universe is expanding. We know this because in every direction we look we see galaxies moving away from us. The farther any particular galaxy is from us, the faster is its recession.

By definition, the universe is everything there ever was, is now, or ever will be. Science currently has no way of determining if any "thing" exists outside our own universe.

Answer 5

we are in a position to assert that the Universe is increasing via using Hubble's regulation which tells us that a galaxy's speed of recession (the cost at which this is shifting removed from us) is proportional to its distance from us, i.e. a galaxy further away strikes removed from us swifter than one on the brink human beings. The pull of gravity isn't as super on those further away so they pass swifter. this is complicated to understand considering that should propose we are interior the centre if each little thing is shifting removed from us - so attempt to think of the galaxies as dots on a balloon. As you inflate the balloon, all the dots get further removed from one yet another and while you're sitting on one dot, it does not look such as you're shifting yet somewhat that each little thing else is. There are 3 fashions for the increasing universe: the 1st is the place the mass contained interior the Universe isn't super adequate to conquer the cost of advance. The Universe will enhance continually. the 2nd is the place the cost of advance isn't adequate to conquer the mass and gravity pulls each little thing back to the place it began. The severe kind is the place the Universe includes adequate mass to avert non-end advance, yet no longer plenty that it will fall down - it is going to stay in one place, no longer increasing or contracting. I undergo in recommendations analyzing that the preliminary burst of light from the super Bang extra desirable out in a halo of light and if we ought to get to the modern-day 'part' of the Universe, we would see that gentle, yet does not have the skill to confirm something previous it, considering gentle hasn't reached there yet! i like that concept XD

Answer 6

The universe is an explotion, so it is expanding untill one time the particles (stars and planets) of the explotion reverse and hit each other faster than you can imagine.

Answer 7

The universe is breaking down, getting less complex. Thats why evolution is a crock. We are not on an upward trend , its a downward one . Thats the 2nd law of thermodynamics which supports intelligent design.

Answer 8

It could be expanding into the future (time).

Answer 9

This is what it seems to be doing, according to our current measurements and best science.

As to what it is expanding into, no one knows, and theories to this effect cannot be checked; so your guess is as good as anyone's.

Answer 10

You have no doubt been listening to those astronomers that say it is. They don't know nearly as much as you think or they think. They do a lot of guessing,and who can say they are wrong when they will never be able to prove they are right,and we will never prove them wrong.