2006-09-18 14:57:56 · 19 answers · asked by anonymoususer987876 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
the problem is that the universe is four-dimensional, and we do not have any names for four-dimensional objects, but if you can imagine a two-dimensional version them the universe seems to be something like the surface of a sphere. it is this surface that is expanding. the universe is finite in size yet has no center and no edge.
look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_cosmology
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=0009F0CA-C523-1213-852383414B7F0147
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmo_01.htm
2006-09-18 18:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by warm soapy water 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Even though we can NEVER determine that ..
But my gut is telling me it's an irregular sphere ..
And the reason I'm saying that because everything in the universe look like a circle, a sphere .. For ages, people thought that the earth is flat, and it turns out it's a sphere. The planets, the moons, the stars .. even many galaxies resemble the spherical shape, so the universe got to have a similar shape.
A spherical one ;)
2006-09-19 01:27:53 · answer #2 · answered by Duda .. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A changing shape
2006-09-19 10:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term universe has a variety of meanings, based on the context in which it is used. In strictly physical terms, the total universe is the summation of all matter that exists and the space in which all events occur or could occur. The part of the universe that can be seen or otherwise observed to have occurred is usually called the known universe, observable universe, or visible universe. Because cosmic inflation removes vast parts of the total universe from our observable horizon, most cosmologists accept that it is impossible to observe the whole continuum and may use the expression our universe, referring to only that which is knowable by human beings in particular. In cosmological terms, the universe is thought to be a finite or infinite space-time continuum in which all matter and energy exist. Some scientists hypothesize that the universe may be part of a system of many other universes, known as the multiverse.
2006-09-19 00:04:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, we know on a relative scale it appears to be flat. WMAP confirmed this.
Meaning, it appears as if we sit on flat space. But there are problems with this model, and we know space shouldn't be flat all the way across.
There are 2 main models of the universe right now that explain the error in the flat model universe.
One is the poincare model, which is basically a dodecahedron. It is relatively flat everywhere, but it bends back onto itself. http://luth2.obspm.fr/Compress/images/oct03_fig1c-g.jpg
There is increasing evidence for this model right now and it's being studied intensively.
Another is a funnel shaped model, where space appears flat but is inevitably curved on astronomical scales and eventually wraps back around on itself. This model helps explain singularities since its existance can extend infinitely within dimensions we are unable to see. http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn4879/dn4879-1_596.jpg
There is also some evidence for this model.
2006-09-18 22:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are many possibilities for this:
Spherical- like a ball
Flat- like a piece of paper, circle or even wavy
Spikey Ball - I believe Sephen Hawking had this idea and published it in a book I had read of his.
I believe it is like a ball with spikes and we are inside of one of the spikes, which is why we can only see so far.
It is highly likely it is spherical. Take a look at objects in space: Stars, solarsystem, galaxies, even bubbles on Earth. Everything of the like resembles a rounded or sherical shape. It is also expanding like a balloon, which also makes sense.
There is no current way to know for sure.
2006-09-18 22:15:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Griffith's Park Observatory has a picture of our universe looking somewhat like a stick figure of a human.
2006-09-19 02:25:46 · answer #7 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's in pretty bad shape. At this time I would like to qoute my father His Question is "what do you think of the world as a whole?" The answer "It's a dirty crack and needs to be wiped out."
2006-09-18 22:07:41 · answer #8 · answered by luvofxanth 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
universe as well as i know has no shape
2006-09-18 22:00:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It has no boundary, no shape. It is an infinite space of nothingness. It's start is relative, but from then on, it is continuous.
I guess that you could say it ends where the galaxies do.
2006-09-18 22:05:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋