2007-01-04 20:41:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
yes. The question of the universe's size is directly tied to its shape. It can have either a closed shape or an open shape. A open shape goes on forever while a closed shape closes in on itself.
Our universe appears to be an open universe.
Here is one proof:
The cosmic background radiation that originated a few hundred thousand years after the big bang tells us the energy distribution of the universe and it says that the universe is not closed. For a universe to be closed it has to have a certain energy density, it has to have enough energy to pull itself into a closed shape. Our universe just happens to be just outside the borderline: it's flat. That means that parallel lines stay parallel forever and never cross or come back to the point where they started. It also means that the universe will keep expanding forever.
How about that?
2007-01-05 09:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Nick B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only that it exists as far as we can detect, using X-ray and radio telescopes etc.
The problem is that the further we detect, the closer we get to the beginning of the universe, so we are seeing a more closed in, younger universe. We may never see how far out the universe goes. Most theories as to the size of the universe are mathmatical, some of which predict that the universe bends in on itself, so that if you travelled in a straight line, you would eventually (given enough time) return to the same place.
2007-01-04 20:55:01 · answer #2 · answered by Terracinese 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It goes on as far as we can see into its depths. It may also loop back on itself. That's as close to forever as we can conceive. We also don't know what not-forever would mean. If in some direction the universe does not go on forever, perhaps the stars and planets run out, what would you call the rest of it?
Other universes, which may occupy a shared space, is a different story.
2007-01-04 20:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by Benji 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is scientific proof that earth "goes on forever". You can walk and walk and never find an end(assuming you can walk over water).
The universe is no different.
2007-01-05 00:58:22 · answer #4 · answered by aorton27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There never can be any such proof. The reason is that we know two things - that the universe has a finite age and that the speed of light is finite (and fixed). This means we can only make measurements as far as the age of the universe times the speed of light - and this number is not infinite.
2007-01-04 23:37:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is there any scientific proof that it doesn't? and what would be at the end of it? a cookie?
2007-01-04 20:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by Frank 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theories, yes. Proof, no.
2007-01-04 20:48:51 · answer #7 · answered by angrysandwichguy2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, only theory and hypothesis and this applies to both time and boundary.
2007-01-04 20:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by wefields@swbell.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.numericalmathematics.com/universe.htm
2007-01-04 20:55:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋