how come they say that space is infinite when they have no proof whatsoever?

Answer 1

I don't think any knowledgeable person claims space is infinite. In fact, the knowledgeable people admit they have no real clue how space is shaped or where/if it ends. [See source.]

I've heard it said that Einstein once said that the only thing that puzzled him more than an infinite space was a finite space. Astrophysicists are still puzzling over this issue.

At this moment, astrophysicists are just beginning to come to grips on the shape of our observable space (our known universe). Based on the value of a cosmological constant, three possibilities have emerged: spherical, flat, and saddle shaped.

The flat universe (like a big pancake) has the most proponents nowadays. But it wasn't that long ago that spherical (like a balloon) was the shape celebre. There is no "proof" for any of these shapes; just fancy mathematics, so the astrophysicists are busy looking for the proof of one or the other.

When talking about infinite space and such, we need to differentiate between space and our known universe. Space is the void into which our known universe was born via the big bang. Our known universe is a bit over 13 billion years old and we have been able to see out to just short of that distance. So we are almost to the edge of our known universe with our observations. What lies beyond that, though, is still a complete enigma.

Answer 2

Let me clarify. Space is not infinite for a simple reason that it was not infinite to begin with.( Read:Big bang), and that it's expansion rate is finite ( as discovered by Edwin Hubble).

We are going to get some new info on the structure as NASA plans to release some new findings on dark matter , thus strengthening the Einstenian concept of a cosmological constant( read this up).

Answer 3

Whomever made that statement space is infinite is a loon. Think about the word, Space, then look it up. A predefined or agreed upon area. That is just one of about 50 definitions that I found.
In my mind, I think space is an area in the brain of a duckling, and the duckling is in a space of the shore of an ocean of rocks that is part of the greater quadrant of the left glibe inside the outer part of a bastril.
The truth is, we don't know. So there can be no proof of anything in that regard.

Answer 4

it would be the same thing as saying that the EARTH is flat until someone really went around the EARTH to prove its round. So until someone really goes to the edge of the visible universe we might not know what's at the other end. And since according to the current estimates universe is still expanding we might never know in our lifetime whether space is finite or infinite

Answer 5

no one says that space is infinite, at least not anyone who knows anything. We have proof that space is NOT infinite.

Answer 6

"They" do not say that space is infinite. At least modern cosmologists, like Stephen Hawking, don't say that.

And even if "they" said that, what proof do you have that "they" are wrong.

I put "they" in quotes because it does not refer to a known group of people; it merely refers to what you have heard and therefore you think there is a group of people who say it even though you don't know that for sure.

Answer 7

Infinity is a useful model. When someone observes (or calculates?) the edge of space a new model will be needed. For now there appears to be no limiting distance that can not be exceeded.

Answer 8

True. But think about this. If space is not infinate and you were some how able to travel to the end of it what would you find? A brink wall? What would be on the other side of that?

Answer 9

I willberb p wanker have measured it with a tape rule and a protractor. The kind of protractor with a ruler built in. So I can assure you that the universe is more than infinite.

Answer 10

do you believe in god? (can't prove she exists either)

ya just gotta believe