if the universe has an edge, whats beyond it?

Question

if the universe has an edge, what shape is it?

Answer 1

interesting question, it's probably round and a bit floppy, a bit like a soggy pizza, and you just fall off the edge into a huge black void. actually this makes me think of the Terry Gilliam film The Time Bandits, when they are all trapped in cages suspended in a big black void outside the universe. But when they reached the end of the universe a little trap door opened and they plummeted into another time zone ...
I am digressing here. Great film! But chooce my answer for best because I do think the universe is a soggy pizza and earth is truly the burnt bit of pepperoni that everybody leaves on the side of their plate!

Answer 2

this requires a look at the theory of general relativity

if the universe is homogeneous with no edge time is roughtly the same accross the univers... but if it is finite and has an edge containing all matter and stars.. outside the edge there is space where time runs very fast

if the universe has an edge and we are near the center, we are in the middle of a gravity well and time runs slower on earth that toward the edge

this is in part (and only in part) a possible explanation why creation can take 6 days on earth while God stretches out the heavens taking apparently much longer time there but 6 days here

Answer 3

It's not remotely possible to answer that question with any certainty.

On the one hand, we know (or it's very likely) that it's not infinite - so it does have an "edge", perhaps evident to an outside observer (if there are any).

But, given the way that space and time curve within the universe, it is impossible for us to ever reach the end - so from our perspective, there is no edge.

As for what's beyond it - we could all puzzle over that one forever, and we would never come up with an answer. Remember, space and time are laws of physics that were created with the big bang and only exist within the universe. Anything outside would have to exist in another form - that requires no space and no timeline (ie, nowhere to "be" and no history, present or future). If you can figure that one out, there's a Nobel Prize with your name on it.

Answer 4

Beyond the edge of the Universe, there is nothing.

Impossible to comprehend as our minds can not fully grasp the concept of nothing (in the same way that we can not fully appreciate infinity). But as most modern astronomers are certain that the universe is a certain shape and a certain size and that came from a certain state, we can be fairly certain (depending on how faihful you are willing to be) that the universe has an 'edge'. How it looks and what is beyond it is impossible to know.

Answer 5

The universe probably does have an edge. There is nothing beyond it; the act of attempting to observe what is beyond it, definitionally, actually extends it; there is no capacity to observe or theorize beyond the universal horizon.

There is disagreement about the shape of the universe. Spherical, toroid, and saddle-shaped have all been advanced as possibilities.

Answer 6

If universe has an edge, Nothing is beyond it
If universe has an edge, It could be right angled because after all there should be an abrupt change...

Answer 7

More universe. Think of it more as a seam than an edge

Answer 8

I'd say...a saucer frisbee disk I throw for my dog, if it's rounded. However, since it has edges, probably a rectangle that is near a perfect square in shape.

Answer 9

of course it has an edge, it's a 90deg cliff and the sea is beyond it. somewhere on the horizon is france, but thats not important.
the earth is flat and so is my beer so i'm off to buy some more.

Answer 10

If you go over the edge of this flat earth, you just go into space. Everyone knows that.