Is the universe truly never ending?

Answer 1

Well, the question fails to identify whether you are inquiring about spartial or temporal infiniteness. Are you asking if the universe stretches on (physically) into infinity? Or if it will last for infinity?

If it is the former, then we encounter the famous paradox of 'So what's beyond the edge of the universe?' Einstein actually proposed a brilliant solution to this problem. He suggested that the universe could be 'finite' yet 'unbounded'.

To understand Einstein's model, first imagine yourself as a two-dimensional being. (Our current state being three-dimensional.) Imagine a huge sphere hanging in mid-air. Now, note that the surface of the sphere is a 2-D surface. This 2-D surface would be the universe for you, the 2-D being. This means that you can travel anywhere at the surface of the sphere, but can never step out of it, or into it. Also, to your (2-D point of view) surprise, you can never find the edge to your universe.

However, from your current, living, 3-D point of view, it is perfectly clear how the 2-D universe is finite but unbounded. It is clear why your 2-D self would never find the edge of the universe -- there is no edge.

Einstein then invites us to view our 3-D self as being limited in a universe with 4 or more dimensions. It then becomes clear how our universe can appear infinite but without boundaries.

(Below is a link to the original paper. [1])

As to the temporal aspect of the universe, though current theory favours the Big Bang theory and is unclear about the fate of our universe, I think the field is now (and may well be for a long time) in a hypothesizing state, where nothing can be confirmed or entirely thrown out of the window. Just relax and wait for the Sun to turn into a Red Giant and roast us first.

One last word. All that I know is just a speck of dust compared to the mountains of research and theories those mad scientists are churning out daily. So just keep your mind open. Cheers!

Answer 2

No, it is not. This is a personal belief of mine. Here is why I believe this.

Over the ages man's knowledge has expanded. New technology allows us to gather new information, thus expanding our perceivable horizon. A long time ago man would look out to the sea and perhaps a large lake and believe this body of water to be infinite. Then we invented ships that glided across these waters and eventually the seas were calculated to be approximately 70% of the planet. Another measure is Something like 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons. It is a big number but not infinite (or never ending in your words).

The modernized man of the time then diverted his attention to the skies and the pleasing blue with no end in sight was the new infinite. Smarter men than me then proved this to be another fallacy. It was merely 1000 km above sea level. Hardly never ending.

We made past the boundaries of this planet and reached the moon. What we saw was incredible. The blackness knew no bounds. There was nothing in the immediate vicinity so therefore we assumed the nothing goes on forever. But once again we underestimated like our ancestors.

Some scientists claims put the universe at a width of 156 billion light years. I hope you see the exponential pattern here, the seas < the sky < universe < somthing bigger. In conclusion, there is something big out there, its just that we are stuck in lifetimes that only last 70-80 years to see the changes. But our kids and grand kids are in for quite an experience.

Answer 3

Obviously there is no definitive answer to this question. Here is what I can say. The size of the observable universe is about 50 billion light years and growing every second. As for the entirety of the universe it is difficult to know. Current data shows the universe to be flat (as opposed to curved) and most likely infinite in size but again this is difficult to prove. I must also point out (again) that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate and as such will not re-collapse or behave in any oscillatory fashion. Believe me, I work in the field, if not then check out the latest supernova or WMAP data.

Answer 4

well universe is not eternal or never ending. According to recent hypothesis of occilating universe right now its expending. after some time in future the universe will start contracting. you can have more knowledge about the universe at www.nasa.gov

Answer 5

It couldn't possibly end. How could it. Unless the Universe is like a Atom. And their are countless universes like there are countless atoms

Answer 6

i dont know. how about u being the first to build a space ship and find out, youll be the first 1 to reach the ends of the universe then come back and tell us about it.

Answer 7

The most prevalent theory is that it will expand and then collapse. Then another big bang, and the cycle will repeat wntil entropy sets in and the cycle ends.
How comforting is that?

Answer 8

Yes ofcourse.

Answer 9

It is so big that even if u lived a million years u would not of gone any where.

Answer 10

yes, unless we are all like ants inside of a box and we don't know it! And god is the little boy that plays with us.