where is space going?

Question

If our universe is constantly expanding, what is it expanding into?

Answer 1

The Universe (which is finite) is expanding into Space (which is infinite).

Answer 2

The best analogy I've heard in answer to this is the outer limits of our Universe are like ink dots on a balloon that gets bigger as time passes.

But you want to know what's outside the balloon.

Well, much to my chagrin, this is where religion and philosophy comes into it because we apparently cannot see, detect or know for definite the answer to that (yet).
It becomes either a clever argument posited by awfully clever, educated and sensible people, or a leap of faith that therefore leaves room for God to exist (something that Stephen Hawking confirmed, and the Vatican is very pleased and relieved about).

The balloon analogy is actually quite good in terms of explaining what's happening inside and at the outer limits of the Universe, but fails when you try and look at the Universe from outside the balloon (as only God can do that).

On the other hand, the reason why we can't see what's outside the balloon is because it hasn't been created yet (ie literally nothing. No space, no time, no substance, no Suns, no stars, no gravity, no light, no planets, no life. Nothing.) But what scares the crap out of me is that if we were able to travel to the outer limit of the Universe we don't hit off the edge of the balloon. instead, we start to travel in an ellipsoidal path that's ever so slightly curved around the inside 'edge' of the balloon and if we keep going we traverse the expanding circumference until we arrive back at the same place except that same place has moved relative to the closest object the first time you were there 'cos the goddamn balloon keeps expanding. (This is where I hope God doesn't have a pin, but hey, that might be the source of the next Big Bang).

Mind-boggling stuff, but a great Question to kick off Christmas Day. Maybe God'll give the Answer (if He's got a Yahoo ID and not been barred by the Answers Team yet).

Answer 3

I think I see this question on here on a daily basis - no offence to you for asking it, though. It's a good question.

The universe is not expanding "into" anything. It is creating time and space as it goes. It is not taking up space from somewhere else, as space only exists within it.

PS: if anyone tells you that the universe is infinite, ignore them. It's not - it could not be expanding if it were.

Answer 4

It's expanding into nothing. It's expansion is a creation of space. Further, it will continue to expand (=create) until it runs out of it's motive force. It will then contract eventually returning to the singularity whence it came. Will it bounce out into another reality and do the same again? And, if so, how many more times will/has it done it? The real question is what the motive force is.

Answer 5

Space is expanding into time

Answer 6

We honestly don't know.

There's no way to observe outside of all known reality, at least not that we've discovered, so it's hard to get an idea of the place.

We assume it's expanding into nothing, not because we really believe that, but because we don't have much reason to assume anything.

If history is any sort of teacher, our Universe is a part of a greater system or structure, but with so little available about the subject, it's best not to cloud your mind with assumptions about it.

Answer 7

It's expanding into another Universe coming the other way that's why our Universe is still expanding we haven't detected the other Universe yet .............maybe?

Answer 8

It is expanding - in to nothing. Nothing is not like an empty room waiting to be filled with furniture. It is something that doesn't exist until space reaches it.

Answer 9

Space is just the 'space' between objects, so it can't expand.

Answer 10

it is expanding to my house for a cup of tea, later it is going up town to do a bit of busking.