Because I have heard that this universe actually all the matter put together. So can there be anything outside the universe. how could you explain in terms of dimensions?
2007-04-08 01:56:13 · 6 answers · asked by stranger 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
There are in effect two parts to the universe: the part that we can observe and the part that we cannot. The Big Bang took place some 13.7 billion years ago and -- according to our best current observations -- was infinite in extent. We infer this from the fact that the expansion of space appears to accelerating, meaning that the universe is "open", i.e. space is curved in a way that causes it to extend to infinity.
HOWEVER, because light travels at a finite speed, we can only perceive the part of the universe that falls within a distance that light can travel in that 13.7 billion years. Within that huge volume is everything that we can even in principle observe. There is an "outside" of it in the sense that there is matter and energy in the (infinitely) larger region that we cannot see. It probably "looks" like the portion of the universe that we can see, i.e. matter, energy, same physical laws, but we will never observe it.
2007-04-08 05:30:27 · answer #1 · answered by Astronomer1980 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some use the term "Universe" to explain the limited space in which we can observe using telescopes and various detectors. So, if we are discussing the observable Universe, I think there is most definitely something "outside" of it. However, that "outside" space is most likely the same as the space in which we can currently observe.
When I consider the term Universe though, I think of the ENTIRE Universe (which I believe to be infinite). So, in this sense, I do not think there is something outside the Universe. It goes on forever.
2007-04-08 13:38:06 · answer #2 · answered by Paley Pale 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't take any theories of the physical universe -- it's just the definition of the English word "universe".
"Universe" means everything that exists. If there exists anything outside the universe, then it is part of everything that exists. Therefore, it is part of the universe. Therefore, there is no such thing as "outside" the universe.
2007-04-08 09:14:03 · answer #3 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No according to current theories.
2007-04-08 09:05:47 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hey cheers Ive been wondering that ever since I was a kid....havent got my answer yet, though.
2007-04-08 08:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i have been wondrin the same thing for a really long time...
2007-04-08 09:11:08 · answer #6 · answered by absentmindednik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋