Are there any theories floating around that astronomers are using to determine the shape. Its been said the shape is flat, that may not be true as that's the current theory.
2006-08-09 14:24:23 · 9 answers · asked by ZORRO 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
For the universe to have a shape it would first have to have borders that would outline that shape. For the universe to have any borders there would have to be some "thing" beyond those borders. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that there is any "thing" or any "where" other than our universe, thus we can't intelligently talk about a shape for the universe.
However, astronomers do speak of the geometry of the universe with regards to its ultimate fate. If the geometry of the universe is what's called "closed," then its expansion would someday end and it would begin to contract. If the universe is "open" then it would continue to expand indefinitely. The most recent and precise research strongly suggests that the geometry of the universe is "open."
2006-08-09 16:19:43 · answer #1 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to be careful in your use of the word "theory". A scientific theory is a verified fact. You are using the word to mean "an idea" or a conjecture. This is not its correct use and a lot of people get confused because of that improper use.
No one knows what the shape of the universe is. And it is not been measured directly or indirectly.
There are several ideas and the term "flat" doesn't mean it is two dimentional but simple means it conforms to Euclidian solid geometry, i.e., two parallel lines never meet (more specifically, if you have a line and a point not on the line, there is one and only one line through the point that is parallel to the first line).
2006-08-09 21:38:37 · answer #2 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Travelling around the world. After a trip of 39 900 km, you will find yourself from where you started.
2006-08-09 21:40:32 · answer #3 · answered by I Don't Know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Einstein said it is shaped like a saddle. But if there was a big bang then it should be shaped like a sphere.
2006-08-09 21:36:47 · answer #4 · answered by FrogDog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is like the Earth is flat thing again, no one will know until we start exploring deep space.
2006-08-09 23:32:53 · answer #5 · answered by Alex330 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whatever shape and measurement they come up with who can check it out ? who can dispute them?
2006-08-09 21:29:57 · answer #6 · answered by antiekmama 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it probably does not have a shape... boy if it does it is round
2006-08-09 22:35:59 · answer #7 · answered by wizard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's still flat.
2006-08-09 21:32:51 · answer #8 · answered by JBarleycorn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, that's really not possible, given our limitations...
2006-08-09 21:33:31 · answer #9 · answered by canary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋