Where does space end?

Question

Well, ot doesnt, does it? If it was possible to fly a spaceship in a straight line (but avoiding planets etc) what would happen. If it could fly without time limit and at speeds that are faster than science can express, where would that take the spaceship? Dont give an answer saying space is a circle, because then I will ask....what is outside of the circle. If you say heaven, then where does heaven end. And if you say it has no ending, then just think about that. Just think. The enormity of it all is simply mindblowing

Answer 1

It actually ends just down the alley across the street from my corner shop.

Answer 2

The problem is that nobody knows the answer. One thing we do seem to know is that the universe is bigger than the area we can see. This could mean any number of things. But a few things are certain - if the universe loops around, then we can't see all the way around it, and if the universe has a boundary we're not close enough to see that either.

Of course, if space as a whole were curved, there would be some signs of it, and currently none have been detected (movement on the surface of a globe is detectably different from movement on a flat plane). This doesn't mean that the universe ISN'T curved... what it means is that if it does loop around like that, it must be an incredibly, mind-bogglingly big loop.

Personally, I'll go with the simpler explanation until there's evidence to the contrary. That means I assume that the universe is flat and there is a border somewhere but I can't see it. Likewise, current evidence suggests that the universe is not only getting bigger, but that its accelerating in its expansion, which means that gravity alone isn't going to slow it down. To my knowledge, nobody creditable suggests that the universe is infinitely large... just really, really big.

As to what is on the other side of the border... I have even less information about that. It isn't space that you can travel through... maybe it's another universe that's being forced to contract as ours in expanding (that would be a bummer for them). Some versions of string theory even hold that the REAL universe is outside of what we think is our universe, and that we're just trapped in a small subsection of the big thing. That's an interesting thought too. But on this subject, you can think whatever you like and be as right as just about everyone! Enjoy!

Answer 3

There are two answers the this question depending on your view point.

Space starts about 80km above the Earth so,if that is where space starts, from the point of view of somebody coming back from space it must also be where it ends!

But what I think you really mean is where is the edge of the universe.

The universe in expanding at an every increasing rate (or at least at the moment it appears to be, I don't buy it but....) The rate of expansion. The rate of expansion is greater than the speed of light and as you can never exceed the speed of light you can never reach the edge of the universe. It's like trying to catch a bus that is always going a little faster then you are - you are never going to catch it.

To sum up, the universe does has an edge (it's bounded), but it is also infinite (unbounded) because the edge (or end) is unreachable.

Answer 4

Maybe reading the 4 books in the trilogy - The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy - by Douglas Adams will help.

And yes, there ARE 4 books in this trilogy. Once you read them you will have a much better understanding of a whole lot of things.

And keep an ear on the Babel Fish!

Answer 5

Space is a Bubble, Gravity does not allow you to get to the edge, you will simply end up where you started.

As to whats outside the bubble - Dimemsion 5 through to 14.

Our 4 Dimonsional Universe is one bubble floating along with many other bubbles in higher dimensions.

Answer 6

i always thought that the universe cannot hold everything in existence because it is supposedly expanding (but into what) and if it is a fixed object (it must be somewhere)

if you were to travel forever i think that you would reach a portion of the universe where gravity is either extremely strong of ABSOLUTELY non-apparent

maybe the universe needs to be an enigma, because to conquer all surely leads to ignorace

i beleive i've gone off subject a bit, sorry

Answer 7

It really is. The thought that it has no end really makes you think "well how big is it then?" I wish it were so easy for us to space travel that we could just hop on a shuttle and cruise around space and see how far we could go and what we could see. I doubt that'll come anytime soon, but its a nice thought

Answer 8

The material universe is finite. I think one of the laws of thermodynamics demonstrated that. However I would suggest that a spiritual world was not bound my physical constraints. if I'm wrong let me know when you get there. Cheers

Answer 9

I quite agree !! Infinity, this word does it for me, what you
describe is something outa Starship Enterprise !!! this maybe
good, look at George Orwell, 1984,....Animal Farm..
There are a lot of 'oricals' out there, but we must look to
ourselves...... Gay or Straight, ..it matters not, we are Gods
people... unfortunately RELIGION causes all wars
Anybody any ideas to unite us all !!

Answer 10

Well, according to Einstein, you would eventually return to where you are now. He reckoned if you could see all the way through space, its curved properties would enable you to see the back of your head!

Answer 11

I Believe that the universe is just a round globe that god looks at from time to time... and laughs at are stupid question.