2007-02-21 05:17:29 · 7 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
From what I read on the subject, it's a misconception of saying the universe is flat which can't be determined. When they say the universe is flat, they mean the observable universe is flat meaning data thus far hasn't proven a detected curvature of the universe. Of course, its only what has been observed so far and hasn't definately been proven yet. It would take too long of a time to gather enough data on the universe to even detect a curvature. Below is one of the articles I read on the subject.
2007-02-21 05:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It IS flat but they're talking about curvature in a higher dimension of space. Not flat like a 2 dimensionsal shape.
The Earth is a sphere but it bulges out at the equator due to centrifugal force.
2007-02-21 14:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by Leviathan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not the same meaning of flat (as in a flat piece of paper or flat as a pancake) and the earth is NOT round, it is spherical. A circle is round.
2007-02-21 13:22:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth and the universe are 2 seperate things
2007-02-21 15:09:54 · answer #4 · answered by poom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When "they" (who?) say the universe is "flat", they mean that it is Euclidean.
Which is another way of saying that, for example, the angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees, even when the triangle is billions of light-years in size.
If the universe was curved, then the angles would not add up to 180 degrees.
2007-02-21 14:15:27 · answer #5 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the universe is not flat, you can't tall, just like you see the earth is flat when you stand on the ground
2007-02-21 13:23:51 · answer #6 · answered by nolan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoever "they" are, you should find another source of information.
Flat implies 2 dimensions. The universe has at least 3 dimensions that we can perceive and probably more that we cannot.
2007-02-21 13:22:42 · answer #7 · answered by lunatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋